Filed under: News, Radio Highlight

After severing himself from the UFC and his manager, flyweight veteran Ian McCall is feeling pretty good about his future.

At least, a lot better than when he was forced to withdraw from four straight fights and was then denied a pay raise.

“Anybody who doubted me, guess what? I win,” he told MMAjunkie Radio. “(Expletive) you.”

McCall (13-5-1) signed with upstart Japanese promotion Rizin FF for its year-end tournament, securing a fight with Manel Kape (7-1) in the quarterfinal round of a bantamweight bracket that continues at Rizin FF 8 on Dec. 29 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event airs live on FITE TV.

Despite his belief he could make more money working at Burger King than fighting in the UFC, McCall said he bears no ill will against his former promoter and called his move “a business decision.”

A fairly lucrative decision, of course, if he can win the tournament. He said he could bank over $200,000 for a sweep.

Promotion for the tournament got off to a brisk start earlier this month, as Kape went forehead-to-forehead with McCall, prompting officials to intervene.

“If you’re going to talk (expletive) to me, at least make it in English so I can understand,” McCall said of Kape. “Next time, at least try and kiss me or something, because that was weird and awkward.

“Even if you did knock me out, there’s no way you’d be able to (expletive) my girlfriend. She’s really hot, and you’re a slob. So you need to (expletive) relax.”

McCall told Kape as much before cooler heads prevailed. It’s not the first time he’s been booked opposite a hothead. An ill-fated bout with Jared Brooks also saw some extracurricular jawing.

McCall wasn’t impressed by that, either. Against Kape, he’s looking to make the same statement he was against Brooks before illness scratched him from their fight.

Kape might talk tough, but McCall said it’s all a cover for the upstart’s paltry opposition.

“I understand you’re 7-1, but let’s focus back on the fact that I think all but two or three guys have losing records, and even guys who have winning records are like 10-9 or 7-5,” he said. “They’re dog(expletive). I can’t wait to teach this kid a lesson. I can stomp on his head; I can do some really (expletive) up (expletive) to him. It’s going to be really fun.”

For more on Rizin FF 8, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

Filed under: News, Radio Highlight