Dive into a dynamic episode of "Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard," where the multi-talented host is joined by UFC titan Conor McGregor and acclaimed actor Jake Gyllenhaal. In this multi-faceted discussion, the guests explore the standing of UFC in the sports world, touching upon its growing popularity within the US and possibly edging into the top four major sports. They dissect the sport's comparison to traditional boxing and the significance of its pay-per-view events, revealing data and insights into UFC's viewership and global presence while debating its position among global sporting giants like soccer and basketball.
The conversation then pivots to the silver screen with the buzz of the "Roadhouse" remake, involving both McGregor and Gyllenhaal, promising a modern twist on Patrick Swayze’s iconic film. McGregor's anticipation for his role and the unique collaborative spirit on set hint at a reimagined classic. The episode further delves into the art of showmanship in fighting and film, discussing McGregor's remarkable career as a fighter and promoter. From his business ventures to anecdotes on adapting to cinematic fight sequences, the speakers offer a glimpse into the meshing worlds of combat sports and movie magic, showcasing McGregor and Gyllenhaal's multifaceted journeys and creative processes.
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In the conversation between Conor McGregor, Dax Shepard, and others, UFC's ranking among major sports in the United States and globally is evaluated, with the suggestion that UFC has edged into the top four in the U.S., though which sport it has surpassed is unclear. The frequency of events, including non-pay-per-view UFC Fight Nights, complicates direct comparisons with sports like hockey, which has many season games. Doubts are also expressed about boxing's popularity over UFC. Data indicate that MMA has a 16.7% popularity rate in the U.S. Some pay-per-view UFC events might outperform other sports' regular-season games, highlighting UFC's significant viewership. Globally, UFC's international audience cannot be ignored, though the conversation lacks specific data on its worldwide popularity, with soccer, basketball, cricket, tennis, and field hockey listed as the top five sports globally.
The upcoming remake of the movie "Roadhouse" generates excitement with Conor McGregor confirming his involvement. Intending to pay homage to Patrick Swayze’s original performance, the remake will incorporate iconic elements while infusing modern updates to suit contemporary culture. Though details about McGregor's character are sparse, he hints at a significant role, perhaps with a decisive moment in the film's climax. Conversations with Jake Gyllenhaal and director Doug Liman reveal a spontaneous filmmaking approach, particularly with fight scenes, suggesting a fresh angle to the cult classic. Potential business collaborations also arise from the on-screen partnership between Gyllenhaal and McGregor.
Dax Shepard honors Patrick Swayze's versatile career, noting his various talents, including gymnastics, dancing, and acting, with "Dirty Dancing" being iconic. Swayze's determination in performing with a knee injury during the film exemplifies his resilience. Swayze's memorable performances, like the scene from "Roadhouse" where his character walks naked to a dresser, contributed to his status as an influential figure in cinema history.
Conor McGregor's skill as a promoter and showman is lauded for his ability to draw viewers and generate excitement for UFC and his new movie. Compared to Muhammad Ali by Dax Shepard, McGregor is seen as a master storyteller who thrives in improvised promotional settings. His authentic yet dynamic personality enhances his appeal, particularly in the context of pre-fight press conferences. McGregor's way of handling defeat is also seen as compelling, adding depth to his persona as a promoter and entertainer.
Reflecting on his career, Conor McGregor speaks of his triumphs and setbacks as a UFC fighter known for his combat skills, notable victories, and the promotion of the sport. Despite defeats, McGregor's knockout record, title wins, and his distinction of holding two different weight class titles concurrently highlight his achievements. Looking forward, he hints at potential avenues in promotion under McGregor Promotions after his current UFC contract. McGregor also discusses his successful business ventures, including a management agency for fighters and his whiskey business trending towards billionaire status, along with a project named Train Alta.
Filming fight scenes for "Roadhouse" presents challenges for Conor McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal as they adapt from real fighting to choreographed scenes consistent with cinematic storytelling. Learning to "fake" fight and resisting actual fighting instincts is a significant adjustment, with securities like filming safety and on-set injuries addressed through anecdotes. Improvisation within structured fights allows for both authenticity and safety, with actors needing to be mindful of camera positioning to create impactful cinematic fighting scenes.
1-Page Summary
The conversation between McGregor, Dax Shepard, and other speakers focuses on where UFC stands in the hierarchy of sports popularity in the United States and its place on a global scale.
McGregor states that UFC has become one of the top four major sports in the United States. McGregor mentioned that it's unclear which sport UFC has surpassed in popularity. Shepard joins the conversation debating the claim, skeptical about whether UFC is indeed bigger than sports like hockey in terms of viewership or attendance.
The challenge of comparing UFC with other sports lies in the different frequencies of events. Shepard notes that while sports like hockey have many games per season, UFC may have weekly events that are not pay-per-view, which could inflate its viewership numbers. Additionally, events such as UFC Fight Nights contribute to the sport's viewership by offering regular events.
There's also skepticism about boxing's popularity over UFC, with Shepard disputing a Wikipedia claim and expressing doubts about boxing's higher popularity.
An unidentified speaker cites statistics and data.org, indicating that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which includes UFC, has a popularity rate of 16.7% in the US.
Shepard and Monica Padman raise the point that certain pay-per-view UFC events might actually surpass the viewership of regular-season games from other sports like the NHL.
When discussing ...
UFC ranking compared to other sports
The buzz around the remaking of the classic film "Roadhouse" grows as Shepard expresses his enthusiasm and Conor McGregor confirms his involvement in the new adaptation of this cult favorite.
The original "Roadhouse" remains iconic for its unique blend of knockouts, music, and romance, and the remake aims to honor its essence. Shepard, a fan of the original film, reminisces about the vibe of roadhouses with good music, motorcycles, and romance that defined the 1989 classic. In paying homage to Patrick Swayze’s memorable performance, the team behind the remake discusses scenes that nod to the first installment, suggesting a respect for the source material while bringing a fresh perspective.
McGregor, who plays a significant role in the remake, teases a scene on a dance floor that may have been tailored to contemporary sensitivities, pointing towards thoughtful updates to fit today's cultural landscape. Although specifics about modern touches or his character are not disclosed, McGregor hints at his character's prominent place in the film's climax, being featured in the last frame, giving a twist to the plot. McGregor’s character, initially perceived as antagonistic, earns a favorable turn when his opponent starts to unravel, sho ...
Remaking the movie Roadhouse
Shepard pays tribute to the late Patrick Swayze, celebrating the breadth of his talents and the determination he demonstrated throughout his multifaceted career.
Swayze wasn't just an actor; he brought a diverse background to his performances. Shepard emphasized Swayze's wide array of talents, referencing his experience as a gymnast, firefighter, dancer, and football player. Despite these varied experiences, Swayze is perhaps most iconic for his roles in films such as "Dirty Dancing."
Shepard also praised Swayze’s resilient spirit, particularly during the filming of "Dirty Dancing." Swayze had a knee injury that caused him pain, yet he persevered through the physically demanding dance scenes. This determination made his performance even more i ...
Patrick Swayze and his career
Conor McGregor's adept use of showmanship and personality as promotional tools is a topic of discussion between McGregor, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Dax Shepard, underlining his role in drawing more viewers and money to the sport.
Conor McGregor demonstrates his energetic presence both on set and in promotional settings, where he engages quickly and assertively. His promotion for their new movie exemplifies his skills as a promoter and showman.
Dax Shepard compares Conor McGregor's showmanship abilities to that of Muhammad Ali. Shepard suggests McGregor is among the best promoters to have ever lived, praising him for being a gifted storyteller and someone who can generate excitement, passion, and even controversy among fans.
McGregor talks about his authenticity in showmanship, stating that he remains true to himself while his behavior may change depending on ...
Fighter showmanship and promotion
Conor McGregor reflects on his impressive and tumultuous career as a UFC fighter and his ventures in promotion and business.
McGregor has been a prominent figure in the UFC, known not only for his fights but also for the way he has helped to popularize the sport. He recalls the press tour for his fight against Jose Aldo and suggests that the heavy promotion contributed to the UFC’s growth. He confidently looks back on his victory over a much younger Aldo, stating that he made Aldo feel old, implying that Aldo had endured too many wars.
Dax Shepard comments on McGregor’s experience with suffering defeats, acknowledging the competitive nature of the UFC and how it contrasts with boxing’s approach to loss records. McGregor himself asserts that he’s mostly been beaten by his own mistakes rather than by his opponents. He pays homage to Muhammad Ali, acknowledging him as the precursor to showmanship in the fight game, and hints at having more to show in his future fighting career.
Despite a few losses, McGregor has had almost 20 knockouts in professional MMA, avenged his defeat against Nate Diaz in a rematch, and KO'd Dustin Poirier in 60 seconds. He discusses his evolution as a fighter, his confidence in his current skill level, and his preparation for upcoming fights.
McGregor has faced challenges, like recovering from a significant leg injury and mastering the difficulties of cutting weight for fights in different weight classes. Shepard points out that McGregor is the only UFC fighter to hold titles simultaneously in two different weight classes. McGregor also reveals that he has two fights left on his UFC contract and hints at the possibility of promoting fights independently under McGregor promotions after the contract ends.
Although Mc ...
Conor McGregor's career as a UFC fighter and promoter
The filming of "Roadhouse" involved intense preparation and adaptation for the actors, who had to balance the authenticity of fight scenes with the demands of cinematic storytelling.
Both Conor McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal discuss the shift from actual combat to choreographed fighting for the camera. McGregor, coming from a professional fighting background, describes the difficulty of transitioning from real fighting to performing for cinematic purposes. He shares an anecdote about repeatedly coming out of the water like a “torpedo” during a scene, only to find out the camera was focused elsewhere, emphasizing the necessary awareness of camera positioning.
McGregor notes the challenge of resisting his fighter instincts, and having to input on making the fight scenes look realistic and venomous. He adjusted little things to make the scenes look better on camera, and mentions the adjustment needed during improvisation when Gyllenhaal choked him for real.
Gyllenhaal also reflects on the pacing difference between filming and real fighting, recognizing the importance of understanding camera positioning to make the performance look good after many takes.
In terms of safety, both actors recall incidents that underline the physical risks involved in filming fight scenes. McGregor alludes to a moment when a speedboat injured his recently operated shoulder, while Gyllenhaal recounts getting glass in his hand from a CGI truck crash but continuing with the take.
McGregor also had to deal with the physical demands of the fight scenes, including exhaustion and the risk of filming long hours into the night. The necessity of remembering not to actually hit each other speaks to a constant awareness and practice of safety on set. While specific safety protocols are not mentioned in the provided content, the actors' anecdotes imply an environment attentive to injury prevention.
The improvised nature of certain fight scenes is evident in McGregor’s and Gyllenhaal's experiences. A system designed by stunt coordina ...
Filming fight scenes for Roadhouse
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