FOX Sports 1 UFC Tonight Show Quotes – 10/29/14

On UFC TONIGHT, Cormier and Bryant are joined in the studio by guest co-host Brian Stann. They interview middleweight Michael Bisping before his fight vs. Luke Rockhold. Plus, Helwani and Bryant add reports.

UFC TONIGHT Host Daniel Cormier on what Luke Rockhold needs to do vs. Michael Bisping: “He’s a southpaw and needs to bury his body kick into Bisping. By throwing the kicks, he’ll slow him down and start to land big, damaging punches. Luke has a bad habit of loading up on his punches. By throwing the kicks, he doesn’t load up. They flow. He also needs to stay focused and needs to be pressuring him.”

UFC TONIGHT Guest Host Stann on what Bisping needs to do against Rockhold:“Bisping has great footwork and a very good jab that lets him set up everything else he wants to do. He’ll use his footwork to be in and out of range when he wants to. He’ll use his jab to stop him from throwing big kicks and punches. He’ll use his cardio as a weapon. When Luke loads up, Bisping will change levels and try to take him down. He’ll use his conditioning to wear him down.”

Michael Bisping on his beef with Luke Rockhold: “I hold you responsible for quite a lot of the animosity DC!”

Michael Bisping on developing his power recently: “When you start working with a new coach, you see the progress in the gym, then to sparring and into fights. I believe that started happen. When I came back from my layoff, I had a bad matchup with Tim Kennedy. I feel like I’ve progressed more now. I’m generating more power with the punches and kicks. I’m mentally and physically better than ever. I’m going into this fight in a good place.”

Bisping on if Rockhold is looking past him by saying he’ll end the fight in the first round: “This is another delusionary comment from Luke Rockhold. He comes out with nonsense day after day. Just yesterday he said he’s going to beat me because he has a better beard than me. I’ve fathered three children. This is a prepubescent teenager. I’m more of a man than he’ll ever be.”

Bisping on why fans should watch the fight: “You’re going see two of the best middleweights in the planet. I’m hungry. I want to be world champion. I’m taking the fight to Luke Rockhold. It has all the ingredients to be fight of the year.”

Anderson Silva on getting a standing ovation at UFC 179: “I’m very emotional. I have a lot of fans. I’m very happy and more excited to come back. When people call my name, it’s the same as the first time walking to Octagon.”

Silva on possibly fighting Georges St-Pierre: “Yeah, maybe. George, I respect you, when you’re back – good luck.”

UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on the next fight for Phil Davis: “I spoke to Ryan Bader’s manager and they’re intrigued by a fight with Phil Davis. It makes sense. Davis might have injured his hand in his last fight and is getting it checked out tomorrow. He didn’t want to comment on it right now, but Bader wants that fight.”

Helwani on a possible Rashad Evans vs. Alexander Gustafsson fight: “Rashad said he was approached with idea to fight Alexander Gustafsson in late January. He hasn’t committed to the fight yet. He’s still recovering from the ACL surgery and wants to go hard in training for a week and see where he’s at.”

Helwani on heavyweight Andrei Arlovski’s next fight: “Andrei Arlovski’s manager just told me he just got shoulder surgery and will be out six to eight weeks. He’s not thinking about his next fight right now.”

Helwani on Mark Hunt fighting for the heavyweight title at UFC 180: “Mark Hunt is in Mexico City right now. He went to Mexico right after he got the fight and he’ll stay and train there until the fight. Mexico City is higher than Denver.”

Helwani on who Nik Lentz wants to fight next: “Nik Lentz told me he wants the winner of Ricardo Lamas vs. Dennis Bermudez, which takes place at UFC 180. He wants a big fight at 145.”

Helwani on Jon Jones signing a new sponsor: “Jon Jones is talking to Reebok for a potential sponsorship.”