On this week’s UFC TONIGHT, Kenny Florian and Chael Sonnenpreview the upcoming UFC 168. Demetrious Johnson guest hosts the show and talks about his victory at FOX UFC SATURDAY. Plus Karyn Bryant and Ariel Helwani add reports.
UFC TONIGHT Host Chael Sonnen on Silva vs. Weidman: “Anderson Silva is the favorite in this fight. You could say in the last one he got caught. What people miss, he was getting dominated before the knockout in the last one. Anderson has a big gap to close.”
UFC TONIGHT Host Kenny Florian on Anderson Silva’s keys to victory at UFC 168:“Anderson needs to go back to what he knows. He’s got to be on his wrestling game and to keep the range. Leg kicks from the outside will help him keep the range. If he does get taken down, he’s got to work from the bottom, or get back to his feet. And he can’t be cocky.”
Sonnen on Weidman’s keys to victories: “It’s the takedowns. He was a college all-American in wrestling. He’s got to move forward, he can’t back up. He’s got to land the takedown, and have ground control. He’s got to look for a submission, but watch out for Silva’s submission attempts.”
Sonnen on Silva’s clowning: “That’s how he sets you up. He’s like the Medusa; he freezes you and gets you to turn to stone, then knocks you out. He did that to stop the take downs in the first fight.”
UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on Miesha Tate’s keys to victory over Ronda Rousey at UFC 168: “Miesha has to have put Ronda on her back, work the ground and pound and stay out of the armbar.”
Sonnen on Tate focusing on the armbar: “Here’s the problem with Miesha saying she can stop the armbar. She shouldn’t just focus on that. Miesha is an excellent wrestler. Ronda keeps winning with submissions from the top. If Miesha can get on top, she can control the fight.”
Florian on Tate preparing for Rousey: “I caught up with her recently and Miesha is doing all the right things. She’s bringing out an excellent judo fighter to train with her. She says she’s changed herself completely. This should get her ready for the fight.”
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey on her preparation for UFC 168: “It’s going great. I’ve never had such a good camp. I’ve never been in such good shape. I’ve never been so sharp and focused.”
Rousey on if she’s prepared to go five rounds against Tate? “For every single fight, I plan for the worst case scenario. I expect Miesha to come in the best version of her and we’re going to have a five-round war and I’m prepared for it.”
Rousey describing Tate with one word: “Fake.”
Rousey on the new women’s strawweight division: “I’m super excited about it. These girls are all super talented, charismatic, and super cute. The UFC has really recognized the value the women can bring, and is investing in them and thinking long term. I can’t wait for a new women’s champion and having some of the responsibilities and pressure be taken off of me. I could use a little help.”
Rousey on if she picks Silva or Weidman to win: “I have to go with Anderson, just because he’s the hero I’ve looked up to for so many years.”
UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on Bigfoot Silva’s positive drug test changing his record: “I spoke to Mark Ratner, the UFC’s head of regulatory affairs, and he said as a result of the positive drug test, Bigfoot Silva’s draw has been changed to a no contest. But on Mark Hunt’s record, it’s staying as a draw. I spoke to Hunt about it and he says he wants the win.”
Helwani on Anderson Silva joining Sonnen to guest coach on TUF Brazil: “Anderson’s Silva’s manager said Anderson would like to take a month off after the fight against Chris Weidman, and he’d like team up with Chael on the show after the fight. His manager said he thinks it’d be really entertaining and thinks he’ll do it.”
Helwani on Phil Davis’ next fight: “I spoke to Phil’s coach and he’s ready to go, just waiting for the call from the UFC. I asked about Shogun Rua, and he said they’d love that fight.”
Helwani on Kelvin Gastelum: “He actually injured his PCL in his left knee, but he didn’t have to have surgery. He’s cleared to fight now and he wants to fight Rick Story next at UFC 171 in Dallas. He called up Joe Silva and asked for the Carlos Condit fight, but it went to Tyron Woodley.”