Alright all you fight fans, welcome to UFC 144 fight week. Usually fight weeks are filled with new interviews from fighters leading into the weekend’s fights, and today was no exception. The talk is usually always similar, but sometimes we can pull a few quotes that are worth highlighting.
Today a video interview with lightweight champion Frankie Edgar was released. In the interview Edgar talked about cementing his legacy in the lightweight division but not getting caught up in any fights beyond this Saturday’s with Benson Henderson. Edgar explained that he will be ready for any place that the fight ends up because what makes Henderson so dangerous is the fact that he’s so diverse with his fight game. He also commented on an eventual move down to featherweights, explaining that he’s definitely open to the idea for the future but that he’s focused on his fight with Henderson and leaving his mark on the lightweight division first.
An interview via FighterOnly.com with Rampage Jackson also hit the web today. In the interview Jackson commented on his upcoming fight with Bader in a very relaxed manner. He said that he doesn’t really care if he wins or loses the fight but just wants to put on a great show for the fans. He also commented on Joe Rogan, stating that he didn’t appreciate Rogan calling him a “one-dimensional”. He explained that he likes to stand and bang and no one should knock a fighter for their style of fighting. The interview was in a typical Rampage Jackson comedic manner but he also touched on training at his own gym for this fight and enjoying being able to stay at home for his camp leading up to this fight.
Greg Jackson released a quote to the MMA world today that defended the idea of game planning for a fight. He stated, “I’m not sure. (why game plans are criticized) I will be honest, there have been fights that we have won, that I was like, “Oh man, this one is going to be all over the news.” But no one says a word. The Carlos Condit fight was not that controversial. We out struck him, landed more power shots and way more strikes. We had complete Octagon control, we decided when and where the exchanges were going to happen and if we didn’t like it, we got away and started again, so you can’t really make a case for him (Nick Diaz) doing more damage because we did more damage and you can’t make a case for him controlling the fight because we controlled it. So that criticism doesn’t bother me that much because It was just more of people’s disappointment wanting to see two fighters stand there and swing and last man standing wins. But, you know, fighting is about hitting and not getting hit. We hit him a lot more and we didn’t get hit. So I don’t feel bad about that one.” Jackson makes some very good points and I think it’s hard to argue with what he has done considering the number of champions and great talents he’s produced in his camp. We’ll see how he game plans with Jon Jones as he prepares for Rashad Evans.
Jake Shields spoke in an interview and touched on getting back to his winning ways and winning over fans in Japan this weekend even though he’s facing one of their own in Akiyama. Shields is in desperate need of a win after dropping his last two in the UFC. This should be a great fight for both men.
The tension continues to build between Rousey and Tate as we get closer to their fight. Tate recently knocked Rousey and questioned the validity of her Olympic medal. Rousey fired back today by calling Tate “un-American” and “Un-patriotic”. The trash talk between these two may be the most intense we’ve seen between two women fighters leading into their fight. And as the fight approaches I only see this rivalry intensifying.
Jake Ellenberger today reiterated that he would love a rematch fight with interim champion, Carlos Condit. Ellenberger recently stated that he wouldn’t blame Condit for waiting for GSP to heal up and fight him in a title unification fight, but explained that even though he would respect that it doesn’t stop him from wanting another fight with Condit. We’ll see how this welterweight situation plays out.
Tim Boetsch spoke today about his upcoming UFC 144 fight with Yushin Okami, his surprise about getting such a huge fight, and his predictions about his future. Here is a quote taken from BJPenn.com: “My initial reaction was really surprised to be completely honest. It was a huge step into competition. I was pretty surprised that they were giving me the chance to fight the top of the ladder so soon. I was like, ‘holy cow.’ I didn’t think I would move up that quickly, but at the same time I was excited because that’s where I want to be. I’ve always wanted to fight the best guys in the world… Certainly he’ll be the hometown favorite, but that’s always been one of the aspects I like. I always enjoy going into someone’s house and beating them in front of their crowd. He’s tough to fight anywhere, yet alone his own country where there won’t be any quit in him. Honestly, I could see myself fighting for the No.1 contender’s spot after this fight. I won’t get a title shot, but I see myself fighting for that spot very soon. But, before that can happen, everyone will get to see me smash Okami.”
In other MMA news Mark Munoz stated that he thinks Chael Sonnen has better MMA wreslting skills than him but he still feels that he is the better all around fighter and has much more power than Sonnen. Could this be the spark needed to make this fight finally happen (Sonnen is still yet to receive his offer for a title shot). We’ll keep an eye on this situation…
Mark Hunt today explained that he is not scared of Cheick Kongo’s striking skills. He explained that Kongo is a “not a bad fighter” and that he has much better striking skills that Kongo. The two will meet on Saturday in Japan and the striking debate between the two will finally be settled.
Joe Lauzon also came out today and stated that he was tired of hearing about how Melvin Guillard is not giving him credit for beating him. Lauzon stated, “I slapped you in the face with my fist and then you went down and I choke you. I’m pretty sure I’m taking credit for that.”
And that about brings our Monday in MMA to a close. The day was not super eventful, nothing huge was announced or scheduled, but the fighters for this weekend’s UFC 144 are starting to make a lot of noise. We’ll see who speaks out tomorrow. Be sure to check back for more updates on the flip-flop.
And for more MMA news and updates be sure to visit BJPenn.com or follow me on Twitter @jchastain45
Cheers fight fans!
-Jake Chastain
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