UFC TONIGHT QUOTES – UFC 187 Preview, Plus Cormier and Weidman Interviews
LOS ANGELES, CA – UFC TONIGHT guest hosts Michael Bisping and Dominick Cruz preview UFC 187 and interview light heavyweight contender Daniel Cormier and middleweight champion Chris Weidman. Karyn Bryant and Ariel Helwani add reports.
UFC TONIGHT Guest Host Michael Bisping on what Anthony Johnson needs to do to beat Daniel Cormier: “He has to do what he’s been doing – winning fights in spectacular fashion. Watching him, he goes out and stalks his opponents. He mirrors them around the Octagon. He has to stop the takedown from Cormier and go out and land the big shots.”
UFC TONIGHT Guest Dominick Cruz on what Johnson needs to do in the fight: “I’d like to see him not over extend and telegraph his punches. Cormier will make him pay and take him down if Johnson overcommits them. He has to throw more jabs, then follow with the power. He’s got to utilize his kicks and keep DC in a box.”
Bisping on what Cormier needs to do against Johnson: “He’s got to erase all doubt from his mind and focus on the future – beating Rumble. He’s got to close the distance, push the pace, and be wary of the power that Rumble has. He has to throw combinations.”
Cruz on what Cormier does well in his fights: “He uses kicks and punches. He follows his hands with kicks and follows with combinations. The key against Rumble is to keep him on his heels and keep him guessing.”
Daniel Cormier on if taking the short-notice has forced him to only focus on cutting weight: “I didn’t just focus on the weight cut in my camp. I’ve been focusing on working hard and being prepared for Anthony Johnson and being prepared for this huge opportunity.”
Cormier on what he learned from the loss to Jon Jones: “I know I can be beat now. As you guys know, I always talked about my zero on my record. That’s not there anymore. I understand that anything can happen in the Octagon if I’m not on my game. I’m more focused, with realization anything can happen in the Octagon.”
Cormier on if training with heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has made a difference preparing for this fight: “It’s been an amazing difference. I love Cain but I hate Cain because I’m trying to get out of the Octagon every time I spar with him because he pushes me so much. I told him and my trainer to not let me quit. They made me believe in myself and that I can accomplish what I want on Saturday.”
Cormier on the difference for this fight: “It’s not about his power against my wrestling. If I have to stand there against him for 25 minutes, I am confident I can get it done. I won the Strikeforce Championship. I’ve fought for the UFC championship. He’s never experienced anything like this before. I believe in myself. I’m smarter knowing that if I don’t do it the right way, Anthony Johnson could just possibly, maybe be champion.”
VIDEO: Interview: Cormier
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2AEQ_alsvk
Cruz on Chris Weidman’s keys to victory against Vitor Belfort: “This guy has exploded on the scene, not just with his punching, but with his wrestling. He’s got to pressure him. When he does, Vitor can’t kick. He has to land a takedown and tire him out. He has to control the top position, then ground and pound, burn the clock and keep him on his back.”
Bisping on Belfort’s key’s to victory against Weidman: “The guy is an explosion machine. He has to establish the range. Weidman will try to take him down, so he has to maintain the distance. He has to use his boxing and control the range with him. He has to throw the kicks. He’s knocked out many people, including me, with those kicks.”
VIDEO: StrikeZone: Dominick Cruz and Michael Bisping on Weidman vs. Belfort
http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=448514627886
Chris Weidman on his keys to beating Vitor Belfort: “It’s to move forward and be in his face, be the better man and dominate him everywhere it goes. I need to make a statement to 85ers that they don’t stand a chance against me.”
Weidman on how he’s preparing for Belfort: “He’s not the power lifting champion that you fought. But I’m expecting a great Vitor Belfort.”
Weidman on if he’s glad to finally fight Belfort after several injury delays: “I’m excited. I’ve been thinking about him for about a year. I’m ready to get past him. Anderson Silva was on my mind for six years. I’m ready to run right through this guy, dominate him and make a statement.”
Weidman on what Belfort brings to the table: “He’s very explosive, I wouldn’t say he’s quicker than Silva and Machida, but he brings a more straight forward game, but with explosive speed. He was known for fast hands, now with the head kicks and spinning kicks, he’s able to mix it up. He’s definitely improved. He’s changing his game and evolving.”
Weidman on his goals in the sport: “When I got into the sport, my goal was to beat Anderson Silva and win the belt, and then have an immediate rematch and beat him again. That’s where my dreams ended. Now it’s about my legacy – completely dominating my division, being the best of all time and retiring undefeated. Going out there and proving all these doubters wrong.”
VIDEO: Interview: Weidman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_kZ8Fv6vXI
UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on Ovince Saint Preux’s next fight: “I’ve learned from the UFC that the main event in Nashville on August 8th will be Ovince Saint Preux vs. Glover Teixeira live on FOX Sports 1.”
Helwani on Chael Sonnen’s return to the UFC: “His manager believes that after his suspension is up next year, that he’ll fight again.”
Helwani on an upcoming women’s fight: “The UFC is targeting Holly Holm vs. Marion Reneau in San Diego. It’s not confirmed yet.”
UFC TONIGHT
UFC TONIGHT is the official weekly news and information show of the Ultimate Fighting Championship on FOX Sports 1. Veteran UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian, light heavyweight title contender Daniel Cormier, veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant and five-time World MMA Awards Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani bring you all the news and analysis.
Follow on Twitter at: @TheDomin8r @Bisping; @KarynBryant; @ArielHelwani; @UFCTonight; @FOXSports1
