UFC Embedded debuted last year during the leadup to UFC 173, and the series has been nothing short of a revelation. Embedded blends the best parts of Dana White’s video blogs (a “behind the scenes” feel in consumable 5-8 minute chunks) and the (now defunct?) Primetime series (slick, professional production with a focus on the fighters). It’s a must-watch for the serious UFC fan during fight week, and arguably the best non-fight MMA media content ever produced.
The UFC expanded the Embedded series for UFC 189, following featherweight champion Jose Aldo and challenger Conor McGregor on their promotional World Tour. It’s been a huge success. The first episode of the series has garnered 570k views on Youtube as of this writing. The UFC has also shared the episodes on UFC.tv and Facebook, so a total view count is probably higher than that.
The tour is through its first week, and the two principals have added even more moments to the iconic one they produced in Boston this past January. We’ve documented the best UFC 189 World Tour Embedded moments here. (Click on GIFs to play them.)
1. McGregor eats a picture of Aldo
Someone at the UFC found an Irish pub in Rio. McGregor showed up to mingle with the fans, throw darts at a picture of Aldo, and then eat the picture like George “The Animal” Steele.
2. Aldo gives McGregor the middle finger
Joe Rogan: This is picture-perfect technique, Mike. Aldo has a world-class middle finger. This is the kind of middle finger I dream about in my deprivation tank.
Goldberg: Aldo told me today that he has both of his original middle fingers, Joe.
3. McGregor tells Aldo he’s going to die
The Brazilian fans are known to chant “Uh vai morrer!” at non-Brazilian fighters. McGregor turned the tables at the tour’s first stop in Rio de Janeiro. He also makes a crazy face.
4. “I’m going to miss these coconuts.”
A near-perfect non-sequitur as McGregor drives away (from the press conference or from his hotel to the airport?). The only complaint to make about this Embedded series is that this line didn’t end the episode.
5. Aldo has fun with a robot toilet
Long-time, dominant UFC champ is bedazzled by an automated robot toilet. As the late Burt Watson would say, THIS IS WHAT WE DO.
6. The doping strawberry
The breakout star of the series has been Aldo’s Muay Thai trainer, Alex Chudad. Chudad’s great whether he’s losing at billiards and table tennis or telling Aldo that going bald is the sign you’re becoming a man. Here, he and Aldo debate whether this large strawberry is in fact a strawberry.
7. Aldo and Chudad dancing
I told you he’s a star.
8. “I’m going to kill this mother****** and cut his head off.”
Aldo receives a call from Thiago Silva (the footballer, not the domestic abuser/fighter), and keeps it real.
9. McGregor taunts Aldo with the belt
This is like the recent WWE storyline surrounding the Intercontinental Title, except good.
10. Con-Air
Not even separate planes can keep Aldo safe from McGregor’s taunts.
11. Conor Crazyface 2.0
Rogan, again: This is picture-perfect technique, Mike. Conor has world-class crazy face. This is CRAZY.
Goldberg: You once hosted Fear Factor, Joe!
12. Aldo Crazyface
Aldo shows coach Andre Pederneiras the Conor Crazyface.
