On this week’s UFC TONIGHT, hosts Kenny Florian and Chael Sonnen preview the upcoming UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MAIA VS. SHIELDS bouts. The two interview THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER season 19 coach BJ Penn and women’s title contender Cat Zingano. Plus, Sonnen addresses his latest encounter with Wanderlei Silva.
UFC TONIGHT host Chael Sonnen on his recent encounter with Wanderlei Silva:“I’m all for him having a little fun. But a little advice: if you’re going to do a publicity stunt, do not bring your own camera, it looks staged. It insults your audience. Accosting a gangster can be hazardous. If you want to have a conventional interview, we at UFC TONIGHT will pay your way to come on the show.” To watch the video, go here: http://snpy.tv/GA7x3s
Sonnen on Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields: “I’ve been in the ring with Demian Maia. He’s aggressive and his pressure is unbelievable. His takedowns are nothing short of effective. These guys are mirror images, they’re very close. Jake Shields is a brawler, but when it hits the ground he’s a true tactician.
Sonnen on who will win between Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields: “I believe Jake Shields will have better position for the majority of the fight, and Shields wins a decision.”
UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on Erick Silva vs. Dong Hyun Kim: “Erick is one of the best athletes in the UFC. He has knockout power. And you’re not safe on the mat with Erick Silva. But the question is, can he stop the takedowns? He’s going to have to adjust to fight Kim.”
Upcoming THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER Season 19 Coach BJ Penn about his upcoming fight with Frankie Edgar at 145: “I’m very confident I can make 145. I’m not sure what weight the fight will be at. We’re still taking about it. But 145, I know I can make it any day of the week.”
Penn on changes in his training camp: “I’m bringing in one of my old coaches, Nova Uniao founder Andre Pederneiras, who gave me my black belt, to train me again. I’m also talking to Mike Dolce to help me make weight. I’m making changes to my camp, but keeping the core for values. I’m going to train with Jose Aldo. I’m hooking up with my roots and getting some great training for this fight. I’m coming to beat Frankie Edgar.”
Penn on what’s different about this third fight against Edgar: “I want this fight. Frankie is the man. He hasn’t really lost, if you ask me. He’s had close fights at 155 and at 145. If I’m the greatest of all time, and he beat me, what does that make him? Frankie, bring your A game and let’s do this. I got nothing wrong with Frankie. He’s a great person. I don’t think he has a bad bone in his body. All I know is he’s the one thing standing in the way of everybody saying that BJ Penn was the greatest lightweight fighter ever.” To watch the video: http://snpy.tv/1a0iKT5
Women’s bantamweight No. 1 contender Cat Zingano on her recovery and another injury: “I should be coming back in four months – hopefully by March or April. I’ve had a battle with my knees for a while. My left knee has taken some wear and tear because I’ve been favoring my other knee. I’m going to do a procedure with stem cells tomorrow to try to fix it.”
Zingano on what it’s like watching THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: “It’s tough. I realize I earned that spot. I beat Miesha for it. It’s a little hard to watch.”
Zingano on who she hopes wins between Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate: “I’m not chasing Miesha becase I’ve already beat her. I’m going after Ronda and starting back where I left off.”
Zingano on if she could get out of Rousey’s armbar: “Absolutely. I don’t spend any time training on arm bars. I think Ronda has her arm bar in her back pocket and relies on it. I’m not training for anyone I fight. I train for me.”
UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on Matt Hamill’s longtime trainer not being in Brazil: “Duff Holmes was his first and pretty much only trainer in MMA. He won’t be with Matt in Brazil. After his last fight, Duff didn’t want Matt to fight anymore, and doesn’t think it’s healthy for him. But Matt disagrees. He wanted Matt to retire, and has decided to not go with him to Brazil.”
Helwani on who Alexander Gustafsson and Phil Davis will fight next: “I talked to their coach Eric Del Fierro and he said in a perfect world he’d like Phil Davis to fight Gegard Mousasi next. For Alexander Gustafsson, he joked he’d like to fight Jon Jones again. Gustafsson would like to fight Ryan Bader or Antonio Rogerio Nogueira next.”
Helwani on who Ed Herman will fight next: “Ed Herman lost his opponent when Rafael Natal got moved to the Fight For The Troops against Tim Kennedy. Now Ed Herman is fighting Thales Leites at UFC 167.”