Gigi Canuto on TUF Journey, Bisping & Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway UFC 329 Preview

Erik Apple connects with world-class grappler and rising MMA star Gigi Canuto to discuss her wild journey on the current season of The Ultimate Fighter under coaches Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping. Gigi opens up about the psychological test of living in the TUF house, why she initially wanted to turn down the call, and the reality of fighting on the very first week of production. She also breaks down her experience tightening her striking game with legendary boxing coach Jason Parillo, why she stubbornly defied Michael Bisping's advice mid-fight, and her multi-cultural roots coming from Manaus in the heart of the Amazon. Finally, Erik and Gigi look ahead to this weekend's massive UFC 329 headliner, breaking down the highly anticipated 170-pound rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. Timestamps 00:07 – Intro: Erik introduces world-class grappler and TUF contestant Gigi Canuto. 01:04 – Why Gigi initially wanted to say "hell no" to The Ultimate Fighter. 02:40 – The reality of fighting on Week 1 and how reality TV editing alters the timeline. 04:59 – The psychological test of the TUF house and dealing with early roommate beef. 05:58 – Gigi explains her family name, heritage, and her roots in Manaus, Brazil. 07:24 – How Gigi mastered fluent English without an accent by binge-watching TV. 08:22 – Evolving from a pure grappler to falling in love with the sweet science of boxing. 09:43 – Being stubborn in the cage and ignoring Michael Bisping's mid-fight advice. 11:03 – Working with legendary striking coach Jason Parillo and fight week sparring drama. 12:52 – How Parillo's pad-holding style forced Gigi to start wrapping her hands. 14:12 – UFC 329 Preview: Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 at Welterweight. 15:33 – Can Conor overcome a 5-year layoff against an indestructible dog like Holloway?. 16:34 – How the 170-lb weight class factors into the McGregor vs. Holloway matchup.