Mario Lopez Talks ‘UFC Rivals,’ White House MMA & Life After ‘Access Hollywood’

When there is a big-time fight inside the Octagon there’s a good chance you’ll see Mario Lopez cage side. His credentials combined with being a student of the combat sports game made the TV personality a perfect choice to lead the panel for UFC Rivals. The host and actor joins a roundtable of experts including CM Punk, Michael Bisping, Miesha Tate, and Ken Shamrock to dig into the rivalries that helped put the mixed martial arts on the map. Along with these perspectives the series features exclusive interviews and footage to help capture these stories.   

A&E kicks off with a one-two punch of episodes for its premiere on June 21. First up is Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz. The former training partners saw their friendship dissolve as they became bitter adversaries that helped take UFC into the mainstream. Then the focus turns to Georges St.-Pierre and Matt Serra, which stunned fans worldwide.

Here, Lopez talks about his love for the sport, staying in shape, and projects after Access Hollywood.      

How far does your UFC fandom go? 

Mario Lopez: Oh man, I go back to its inception in 1993 when I became a fan. Growing up as a wrestler, it was one of the only outlets where wrestlers could parlay their skillset into making money. I’m always proud and happy to see when wrestlers transition to become big MMA superstars. Obviously, you have to be familiar with skillsets in many different areas, but that seems to be a great foundation and springboard. 

What do you make of the UFC’s incredible growth from fringe to mainstream to the point where its President and CEO Dana White is on the cover of Time magazine? 

I’m proud to say Dana is a friend of mine. To see him become the superstar he is and take this business that was essentially going to be bankrupt and looked at as human cockfighting to now becoming mainstream. A company getting these huge deals from ESPN to CBS and Paramount+, a multi-billion dollar corporation. And like you said, being on the cover of Time to having fights on the White House lawn. I don’t think anyone dreamed it would get to this point, but it really is the consummate athletes and the type of sport that takes you back to coliseum days in ancient Rome. It’s pretty special. There is nothing like it. I’ve been to Super Bowls, World Series games, and there is nothing like it. 

You mentioned UFC Freedom 250. What are your thoughts on this emanating on the White House lawn? It’s an incredible thing to pull off as we’re seeing the logistics and set-up start. 

It’s a huge monumental event and historic and tying into the celebration of our nation’s birthday. The card itself is excellent. I’m looking forward to seeing it. I’m shooting a movie during that time, so I’m unfortunately not able to be there in person. But I can’t wait to check it out. 

A&E

Talk about UFC Rivals, expanding on the success of WWE Rivals with you stepping in as moderator. It’s quite the eclectic panel. 

I couldn’t be more excited. As you can tell, I’m really passionate about the sport and have been a fan from the very beginning. I’m very familiar with the fighters and their history. I love having the honor to be hosting this. It’s a look at the most iconic feuds in history. There are so many rivalries you can do. I was like a kid in a candy store leading the roundtable there. They all had something to bring on their own and with their own unique perspective. We took a look back at what defined an era and transformed UFC. You really got to know the athletes and get to know them as people. 

You start with Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, which is a perfect rivalry to tackle considering their history. One that helped take UFC to another level.

It’s cool because you have a lot of archival footage and exclusive interviews with the roundtable. You get to relive these unforgettable moments and realize the high stakes and how serious these showdowns were. We highlight the personalities of the fighters with the stories of how they came together and how it shaped their careers. These guys were not faking it. These were true rivalries and had real animosity. It’s fascinating to look back on it. As you see, there are a lot of instances when time heals everything, and you sort of see them as friends. That’s pretty cool. 

The second episode then explores Georges St-Pierre and Matt Serra. A true David vs. Goliath. 

I loved it. This was considered one of the biggest upsets [where Serra beat St.-Pierre at UFC 69]. I love Georges, who has come to be a friend. The fact he was unstoppable at that time, and Matt was a huge underdog. That [Welterweight Championship] victory upended expectations. We break down the fight, the aftermath, and that moment that stunned fans. It shows anything can happen in a fight. 

Anything you can tease about future episodes. Conor McGregor we know has some great rivalries including of course with Nate Diaz. 

I certainly hope so. When you think of rivalries, you think of McGregor and Diaz, Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones, it goes on and on. They all bring compelling stories. That’s what makes Rivals so much fun…The good thing about the UFC is you know you’re going to see compelling matchups. You never really see true blowouts. Unlike boxing, it’s not as political. You really see the best fighting the best. 

Congrats on getting your brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). What did that mean to you? Here you are at 52 still in the best shape.

I won at the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) Master North American Championship. I was so excited. I took gold and was promoted to a brown belt. It was awesome. This is my passion. I love combat sports. I grew up wrestling. Now I got into boxing and now I do Jiu-Jitsu. I love to push myself and compete. I just want to be an example for my kids in showing you’re never too old to start learning something new. You’re never too old to set goals and push yourself and compete. It keeps you sharp. It’s a complement to everything in your life. 

Dana White and Mario Lopez (Instagram)

Later this year marks the end of an era with the end of Access Hollywood after 30 years. How would you sum up your run as host of that show after almost seven years? 

I always wanted to be the Latino Dick Clark. Between Extra and Access, I’ve been doing it for 20 years. I’m very blessed to meet all these incredibly talented and awesome people and check off all the names I’ve wanted to meet. I’m still doing a bunch of stuff. I have a few new shows coming out both on Lifetime and have my projects with iHeart.  I’m doing another new show that will be announced soon. I have a national syndicated radio show On With Mario Lopez that I do. I’m getting ready to do a movie. I’m busy as ever. I’m excited about UFC Rivals. All the fighting stuff is my passion.

You’re also working with Tony Danza. That sounds like fun considering your shared love of the fighting game. 

Definitely. Tony and I are going to shoot a movie in New York in a couple of weeks. I have to lock in for that. We’re going to be singing and dancing. I like to mix it up. 

When it comes to social media, you’re a fun follow. No matter how much time goes by, Saved By the Bell fans always get a kick out seeing photos of yourself and other cast members. Like the one you shared with you and Tiffani Thiessen. Any plans to come together again? 

I’m very close to all my cast members. We all got along really well. We all have families and are older now, but we still stay in touch. I’m really happy for all of them. I’ll always look for ways to work together. 

What goes into your decision to sign on for projects, especially as the kids get older? 

UFC Rivals was an easy thing to say yes to. As you can see, I practice what I preach with my love for it. I’m always training. All my kids do too. They do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, so it’s a whole family fun fest. This was in my wheelhouse. I’m coming from a fan’s perspective. This was an awesome opportunity and gig. A lot of the other stuff I do is also about a love for it. I love hosting whether it’s barbecues, TV shows, radio shows. As far as the movies, I like to do the holiday movies, but at the same time I’m producing too. As long as it’s in the wheelhouse, I’m all about the four F’s: faith, family, food, and fitness. That’s my Mount Rushmore for living. 

UFC Rivals premiere, June 21, 8/7c, A&E