The following quotes are from tonight’s FOX SPORTS LIVE UFC FIGHT NIGHT: CERRONE VS. MILLER postfight coverage on FOX SPORTS 1. The show was hosted by Karyn Bryant, with Daniel Cormier, Kenny Florian and Chris Lytle as analysts.
UFC ON FOX Analyst Kenny Florian on Donald Cerrone’s victory over Jim Miller: “Jim Miller got off to a good start. But Donald Cerrone got his range as the fight went on. It wasn’t the last kick that got him the win. It was the variety of kicks and punches he was really mixing up and Jim Miller had no idea where he was going. I feel like Miller ran out of weapons and Cerrone just didn’t respect him after a certain point in the fight.”
UFC ON FOX Analyst Daniel Cormier on what Cerrone did to get the victory: “We talked about the left body kick. Jim Miller got kicked in the stomach, and that wasn’t a low kick. The fight should have been stopped right then. Cerrone had Miller backing up with his kicks and established the distance.”
UFC ON FOX Analyst Chris Lytle on the turning point with Cerrone’s victory: “Donald needs the confidence to get going. When he got taken down by Jim Miller, he got right back up and got his confidence, and that changed the fight. Then he used his height and reach advantage to dominate the fight.”
Florian on who Cerrone should fight next: “I’d love to see Cerrone fight Nurmagomedov. He’s one fight away from the title shot.”
Donald Cerrone on what lead to victory: “Being able to get out there and start fast was something I was having issues with. I did a lot of unconventional training for this fight, like sprinting, playing Ultimate Frisbee, wakeboarding, to get my mind right. As far as the finish, I kept going to his body, his body, and then faked the body and went high and he started favoring that side and I saw it and thank god it worked. I did a lot of sprints on the track and track work.”
Cerrone on who he wants to fight next: “Anybody, I don’t care. All the UFC has to do is call me and say Cowboy we need you here on this date and I’ll say ok.”
Cormier on Edson Barboza’s victory over Evan Dunham: “It was the same situation as the main event – it was a southpaw vs. a conventional fighter. Dunham tried to use the strategy we talked about in the prefight show to stay close, but Barboza had the speed advantage. There’s nothing Dunham could do. Eventually, Barboza landed the southpaw position with the kick to the body to finish it.”
Florian on the trend of leg kicks to the body: “We see these trends in the sport. We’re seeing a trend with these pointed toe leg kicks to the body.”
Edson Barboza on his victory: “I trained so hard for this fight. This is my house. I live here in New Jersey. I’ve fought in New Jersey four times and I’ve got four wins.
Barboza on how he delivered the kick: “I saw his elbow a little up, and my Muay Thai coach said kick, kick, kick and that’s what I did. I train my whole life. I can’t wait to train again.”
Rick Story on his victory over Leonardo Mafra: “My game plan was to do what I know I can do, and my strength is wrestling. I was paying attention what my coaches were telling me. I passed the position when it presented it to me.”