Bert Partied with Stylebender After Saying He Could Beat Him in a Fight

Episode Summary

Main Topics

This episode delves into comedian Bert Kreischer's unexpected, wild encounter with UFC Middleweight Champion Israel "Stylebender" Adesanya in New Zealand. The core discussion revolves around Bert's long-standing joke about fighting Adesanya, the surprising reality of meeting him, and the subsequent "ride or die" friendship forged during a chaotic night out. It explores Adesanya's true character beyond his fighter persona, the absurdity of their drunken bar antics, and the unique way athletes like Adesanya celebrate their hard-won victories.

Key Discussion Points

• The "Fight Stylebender" Joke Comes to Life: Bert recounts his long-running joke about being able to beat Israel Adesanya in a fight after 12 beers each. He never imagined meeting him, but Adesanya surprised him at his New Zealand show. Bert was immediately struck by Adesanya's unexpected size ("way bigger") and large, soft hands. Adesanya humorously confronted Bert by grabbing his arm, throwing a knee, and asking, "You still think you could f*** me up?" to which Bert instantly apologized, quickly realizing the joke was over.
• Israel Adesanya's Unexpected Character: Bert describes Adesanya as "the coolest f***" he's ever met, noting that the UFC champion treated everyone not as a superstar, but as "just some guy." Adesanya's genuine personality shone through, particularly when he "geeked out" meeting Jared Hess, the director of *Napoleon Dynamite*, at Bert's show, revealing his passion for comic books and anime. This interaction showcased a humble, relatable side to the intimidating fighter.
• The Drunken Bar Challenge in New Zealand: The conversation climaxes with an epic tale of Bert and Izzy getting "pretty lit" at a New Zealand bar at 3 AM. Both men, shirtless and back-to-back, challenged everyone in the establishment to a fistfight. Adesanya famously declared, "I'll kill every f*** in the room for this man right here," a moment Bert initially misinterpreted as a Steve Harvey-esque declaration of loyalty, leading to utter chaos.
• The Steve Harvey Misunderstanding: Bert humorously explains that he thought Adesanya's aggressive declaration of loyalty was a viral Steve Harvey bit. He details a specific clip where Steve Harvey, talking about his wife Marjorie Elaine, passionately states, "I will kill everybody in here about your ass." Bert, whose wife Leanne sends him such clips, genuinely believed Izzy was mimicking this sentiment, adding another layer of comedic absurdity to the already wild night as they then went "table to table" challenging patrons.
• A "Ride or Die" Friendship and Celebration: The evening solidified a "ride or die" bond between Bert and Adesanya, despite the dangerous antics like challenging tables (Bert admits to exclusively challenging female tables) and buying three rounds of shots for the entire bar. Bert also highlights Adesanya's admirable approach to life, specifically his "celebration tours" after victories, which Bert believes aligns with setting the universe right, underscoring Izzy's unique perspective on success and enjoyment.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: The tale of Israel Adesanya "geeking out" over meeting Jared Hess, the director of *Napoleon Dynamite*, at Bert's comedy show. This specific detail highlights Adesanya's unexpected passion for pop culture beyond fighting, showing a humble and relatable side to the UFC champion.
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: Bert's realization that Israel Adesanya is "way bigger than you think" in person, with "huge and soft hands." This contradicts Bert's previous assumption based on his long-running joke about being able to fight him, immediately shattering his misconception upon their physical encounter and prompting a quick apology.
• Memorable Exchange: Adesanya's impactful declaration at the bar, "I'll kill every f*** in the room for this man right here," delivered shirtless and back-to-back with Bert. This dramatic moment, made even funnier by Bert's subsequent misunderstanding that it was a Steve Harvey bit, perfectly encapsulates the chaotic and bonding nature of their night and Adesanya's intense loyalty.

Key Takeaways

Listeners will discover the hilarious and surprisingly profound journey of Bert Kreischer's unexpected friendship with Israel Adesanya, moving from a self-deprecating joke to a genuine "ride or die" bond. The episode offers a unique glimpse into Adesanya's character—far from a ruthless fighter, he's a humble, passionate individual who embraces life's joys and connections. It underscores the unpredictable nature of celebrity encounters and the value of authentic, if chaotic, human connection, alongside an appreciation for celebrating victories in life.