UFC TONIGHT QUOTES: Special Guests UFC Legends BJ Penn and Matt Hughes Join On Set

07/01/2015

New York – UFC TONIGHT co-host Kenny Florian and UFC current light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier discussed Jose Aldo withdrawing from his upcoming fight against top challenger Conor McGregor at UFC 189. Top contender Chad Mendes replaces Aldo. Additionally, former UFC champions BJ Penn and Matt Hughes joined the program to talk about the UFC’s upcoming Hall of Fame inductions. Veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant and five-time World MMA Award-winning Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani added reports to tonight’s program.

Earlier in the evening, Cormier & Florian appeared on FOX Sports 1’s AMERICA’S PREGAME to comment on the impact of Jose Aldo pulling out of UFC 189.

Florian on this being the fifth title fight that Aldo has withdrawn from: “This is a guy who has stayed undefeated for close to 10 years and it’s a difficult thing to deal with because now you don’t become reliable for the company, for the fans and it gets everyone nervous now the next time you fight…it’s been very disappointing.”

Cormier plays ‘devils advocate’ and talks about what bruised ribs can do to a fighter: “I have had rib situations in my wrestling career. You can’t walk, you can’t breathe, you can’t cough so for him to have fought it would’ve been very difficult for Jose Aldo to make weight too so now you’re dealing with something different. There were a lot of things going against him in this situation and we don’t know if would’ve even been able to fight. Knowing that McGregor knew where the injury was, if [McGregor] would’ve targeted that, Aldo would’ve been at a big disadvantage.”

Cormier believes McGregor needs to use his length against Mendes: “He needs to maintain distance and use his length. If he allows Chad inside, it will allow Chad to take him down and wrestle with him, keep his distance and make sure this is a stand up battle. No matter how good Mendes has gotten in the stand up, he is not going to be as good as Conor McGregor.”

UFC TONIGHT insider Helwani updated fans on Lyoto Machida’s surgery: “He broke his nose in that loss to Yoel Romero and had to have surgery the next day. It went well. He’s still in Florida, resting up, is going to go home this weekend but he is going to take some time off.”

More from Helwani including Yoel Romero’s next fight, Luke Rockhold fighting Chris Weidman, Rashad Evans and what’s next for Anthony Johnson: http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=474620995896

Hughes vs. Trigg II, which took place on April 16, 2005, at UFC 52, will be inducted into the newly-minted Fight wing of the UFC Hall of Fame. Hughes remembered his epic battle with Frank Trigg: “I feel pretty lucky to get that fight in there. I’m very blessed and have been very lucky and time has been good on my side.”

In the UFC TONIGHT quarterly report, Florian, Cormier and Helwani each chose their top fighter of the year thus far.

Florian: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. “This guy is on a roll and has been looking very sharp.”

Cormier: Fabricio Werdum. “The guy beat arguably the greatest heavyweight of all time [Cain Velasquez] and he did it in dominating fashion.”

Helwani: Joanna Jedrzejczyk. “She is a breakout star, oozing with confidence, charisma and she may not lose ever in the UFC.”

More from Florian, Cormier and Helwani: http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=474630723927

Penn on his induction as a member of the 2015 UFC Hall of Fame: “At the end of you kind of wonder where you stood. I am a very controversial fighter. A lot of people have differing opinions and when this Hall of Fame thing came up I was very humbled and touched by everyone’s positive outpouring of support.”

UFC TONIGHT

UFC TONIGHT is the official weekly news and information show of the Ultimate Fighting Championship on FOX Sports 1. Former UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian, current 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: @KennyFlorian; @DC_MMA; @KarynBryant; @ArielHelwani; @UFCTonight; @FOXSports1

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