UFC TONGIHT QUOTES: Heavyweight Champ Werdum in Studio, Machida Interview, Schaub & Cruz Guest Host
LOS ANGELES – Guest hosts Brendan Schaub and Dominick Cruz break down the upcoming FOX SPORTS 1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MACHIDA VS. ROMERO and interview middleweight Lyoto Machida about his headlining bout. Plus, newly crowned heavyweight champ Fabricio Werdum is in studio to talk about his victory over Cain Velasquez. Bryant and Helwani add reports.
UFC TONIGHT Guest Host Brendan Schaub on how Lyoto Machida beats Yoel Romero this weekend: “This is what he does – Machida uses good footwork to set Romero up and he knocks him out in a later round. You can’t train for a guy like this. People will also be surprised with Machida’s work on the ground. He’s worked hard on it.”
UFC TONIGHT Guest Host Dominick Cruz on how Romero beats Machida: “Romero has more adjustments to make once this fight starts. He has to at least get one takedown. It’s not he can’t compete standing up, but he’ll get more tired than Machida. Machida works by having movement, using space and using his kicks. But Romero’s the first guy who could state a case that he could handle Machida in the clinch. His credentials are better than Phil Davis and if he gets there, he can do something.”
Schaub on Machida’s keys to victory: “First is striking. Second, Machida has to stop the takedown. Number three is to push the pace. The one knock on Romero is his cardio.”
Cruz on Romero’s key’s to victory: “Pressure, he has to push Lyoto back against the cage. He has to also score the takedown, and finally, once he’s there, he hast to control the top position.”
VIDEO: StrikeZone and Predictions
http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=470949443569
Lyoto Machida on fighting so quickly after his last loss: “It’s a great opportunity for me. I like to be busy and fight many times a year and showcase all my potentials.”
Machida on fighting another wrestler like Romero: “Even though he’s a wrestler, he knows how to fight standing up. He knows how to keep the distance. But I believe in myself and my background in karate. I have a better chance than him and will be prepared on Saturday.”
Machida on his loss to Rockhold: “I think he was a better man than me. Everyone has a good night and bad night. That wasn’t my day. He did a great job and took advantage of me.”
Machida on suffering an injury against Rockhold: “I had hand surgery after the fight. They took some fragments out. I returned to training in three weeks. I had a great camp. I’m ready to fight now.”
Machida on who he believes will win between Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold: “Both of them have strengths and weaknesses. Rockhold has good ground game and knows how to fight standing up. Weidman has good wrestling and ground control. I think Weidman has more experience. I pick Weidman.”
VIDEO: Interview: Lyoto Machida
http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=470941763695
Werdum on what it’s like winning the title: “It’s crazy and amazing. I trained for a long time for this – for about two years for this moment. I’m very happy that I have two belts at home now.”
Werdum on people saying he didn’t beat the real Velasquez: “This time I stayed in Mexico for a long time. A lot of guys believe in myself, I believe in myself. It’s very hard to stay there for 40 days, and I won this belt.”
Werdum on baiting Velasquez into the guillotine: “You saw I tried it two times and got the third one. I trained to get it. When he go there, I said thank you. I listened when he was breathing and I knew he was tired, it’s so hard to breathe there. I was tired too.”
Werdum on calling Velasquez a fake Mexican before the fight: “I say that for guys to watch the fight. I respect Cain Velasquez a lot. Daniel Cormier is my good friend as well.”
Werdum on who he fights next: “I want to rest a little bit. I trained a lot and for a long time. I want to enjoy my family just a little bit. Maybe I’ll fight next in December. Arlovski is good. I think I won the first fight against Arlovski. He beat Travis Browne and I beat Travis, so I think, who’s the daddy? I think it’s a good fight.”
VIDEO: Interview: Werdum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh3newTV9RI
UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on Demetrious Johnson’s next title defense: “I’ve confirmed with UFC president Dana White that Demetrious Johnson fights John Dodson next, but not sure when. Demetrious Johnson would like to have the fight at UFC 191 in Las Vegas over Labor Day weekend.”
Helwani provides an update on CM Punk: “CM Punk’s moved to Milwaukee to be closer to his gym. He still has a place in Chicago. He wants to be 100 percent ready before he enters the Octagon. He just sparred five rounds this week and he feels great.”
Helwani on Daniel Cormier’s knee needing surgery: “According to his doctor, Cormier basically doesn’t have an ACL in his knee, and will undergo stem cell and PRP injections. He’d like to fight at UFC 192 in Houston.”
Helwani on strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s hand injury: “I just confirmed that she does need surgery on her right thumb and that’ll take place next week in Los Angeles.”
VIDEO: Inside the Octagon with Ariel Helwani
VIDEO: Interview: Lyoto Machida on AMERICA’S PREGAME
http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=470844483588
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 champion 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: @BrendanSchaub @theDomin8r @KarynBryant; @ArielHelwani; @UFCTonight; @FOXSports1
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