On this week’s UFC TONIGHT, Michael Bisping talks about his UFC 159 opponent Alan Belcher. Chael Sonnen explains the real reason why he was awarded the fight against Jon Jones. All that and much, much more on this week’s UFC TONIGHT.
Quote of the Week: Michael Bisping on Alan Belcher waging bets: “He’s talked about tattoo bets. He’s sitting in the back of the Rolls Royce Phantom, showing off because he has a rich friend. That’s not what I’m about, showing off. I’m focusing on the fight. How about this? I challenge you to a fight on April 27, and the winner takes all the pride and glory. You can take your tattoos and your Phantom and stick them where the sun doesn’t shine. I’ll see you April 27 and I will beat you.”
Bisping on fighting Alan Belcher: “I never underestimate an opponent, but I truly believe I’m the better fighter. I’ve got the better skill set. I think I’m a tougher person. If we were to meet off the street with no martial arts training I would win every time. I’m in a different league and I have to prove it.”
Bisping on how he will beat Belcher: “My last fight didn’t go to plan. I have to go out and get redemption for my last performance. I have to go out and knock him out. I want to prove I’m one of the best in the middleweight division and to do that I’ve got to take him out and take him out in style.”
Bisping on a rematch with Vitor Belfort: “Vitor tweeted me directly, ‘Look Michael Bisping, my head kick to you has started a fever across the world’ and he had pictures of people throwing kicks, which I took exception to and found a little insulting. So I challenged him to a rematch in Nevada where he can’t get a license to use his steroids. I’m a clean fighter, forget the steroids, let’s do it again.”
Bisping on the new THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER coaches and fighters: “Anything could happen. I’m not sure people are going to be tuning in for the fights, maybe for something else happening in the evening, after dark. We all know they like to get drunk on THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER. You put men and women together, a lot of testosterone and estrogen together, and who knows what you’ve got? Let’s just hope no one gets pregnant. Keep it safe!”
UFC TONIGHT’s Chael Sonnen on how he got the fight with Jon Jones: “You know politics play a role in our sport, just like any other, and I wanted to explain directly to the fans exactly how my participation in the title fight with Jon Jones came about. I got a call one day from Dana, and he ‘said listen Chael, I’m putting you to work. You see I overpaid for this light heavy who I now realize is a jerk. He’s winning fights, not with brains or with brawn, and his matches and his one-armed cartwheels are making the whole crowd yawn. Nobody is coming to see him, not in living rooms, or in bars. Why don’t you send this guy to Cirque du Soleil or Dancing with the Stars.’ … So Jon, I’m coming to New Jersey, ‘cause I got a job to do. I’m a fully loaded cannon, boy, and I’m pointing right at you. So here’s a little advice, go get in your car and go hit another tree, do whatever you gotta do to stay away Jones, you don’t want to fight me.” (Edited for space – complete response to come in video form later.)
Sonnen on Nick Diaz retiring after this loss: “Nick Diaz immediately talked about retirement, and I’ll remind you he talked about retirement after his last loss to Carlos Condit. I think this is just where he goes in a recovery process. I want to see him back. I think he’s an excellent fighter. But he does need to be matched up appropriately. One thing that happened in Strikeforce is they never put him against a wrestler. The blueprint to beat Diaz is out there. Keep him away from wrestlers and he should be ok.”
Sonnen on women appearing on THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: “This changes everything. I’m telling you, TUF just met MTV’s THE REAL WORLD.”
Sonnen on Dana White vs. Vince McMahon: “Vince, you just got insurance for your athletes. It sounds like you want to be the first to test out its benefits. Boom! Vince, Undertaker himself could not save you when Dana puts postage on your envelope, you big idiot. Boom! Kamala, the Ugandan Giant, will win an Olympic gold medal in pole vault before you step into the boss’s wheelhouse.”
UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on Johny Hendricks’ possible broken hand: “He dislocated his fingers early in the fight, and as the fight went on they popped back into place. That’s why he was in so much pain after the fight. He’s hoping to get that big GSP fight in August and said, ‘I can’t believe after six years I’m going to be getting my title fight.’”
Helwani on Demetrious Johnson’s injury update: “He had shoulder surgery recently. He’s feeling great, has already started his rehab and he’s hoping to come back in August. He wants to be on the first-ever FOX Sports 1 show on August 17 against John Moraga.”
Leeann Tweeden announces she’s pregnant: “Before we move on, I have my own bit of breaking news. I have my own future fighter in the oven – I’m having a baby boy, our first child.”