On tonight’s UFC TONIGHT, host Kenny Florian and guest host Michael Bisping talk to Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Paige VanZant. Karyn Bryant and Ariel Helwani add reports.
UFC TONIGHT Host Kenny Florian suggests wrestling mentality could be the cause of many injuries in the UFC: “I think it’s the mentality of the wrestlers that gets them injured. They push through things and when they have small injuries, they get worse and worse. It’s the physical side. But people forget how new this sport is. This sport is tough. Look at the training you have to do. You talk about wrestling alone, but then there’s kickboxing and you have to learn jiu jitsu and that’s three times the chance that you could get injured. But people have to dial it down in the offseason.”
UFC TONIGHT Guest Host Michael Bisping on injuries in the sport: “This is the toughest sport in the world. The wrestling is what causes the injuries and really takes to toll on the bodies. They’re obviously pushing themselves to the limits. But you have to train the way you’re going to fight. If you don’t to push yourself to the limit like you would in the fight you won’t be ready. But you have to be smart. It’s an unfortunate business. Sometimes this happens.”
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on if he had an option on who he’d fight: “They didn’t give me much of an option. I just want to fight. The guy stepped up. I think it’s going to be a great fight.”
Cerrone on if taking the fight is risky when he probably could have waited for the title fight: “I can’t be the guy who says I’ll fight anybody, anywhere, anytime and then not take a fight. I have to keep my word. They gave me a new opponent. I just want to fight. That’s my mentality. I’m excited.”
Cerrone on if fighting John Makdessi is an easier fight: “I don’t think anyone in the UFC is an easy fight. We’re here for a reason. I was really looking forward to fighting Khabib. I’ve been scheduled to fight him three times now.”
Paige VanZant on not being in a rush to fight for the title: “I think it’s smart. I still have two years to be the youngest title holder. I can take my time and still break that record.”
VanZant on being compared to Conor McGregor by UFC president Dana White: “I think Conor is awesome and to have Dana compare me to him is a huge honor.”
VanZant on negative comments from Tecia Torres: “It’s good. It’s harsh. It’s the fight business. It creates drama in the sport and ever since she said those things I’ve gotten thousands of followers. I love what I’m doing. I don’t need negative comments. I have a lot more to prove still.”
VanZant on critics saying she’s getting special treatment by the UFC: “There’s going to be negativity out there no matter how successful I am. It’ll just give me a little more fire to keep winning fights.”
Ariel Helwani on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s latest injury: “Khabib is in LA getting a second opinion today. He injured his meniscus training in the gym yesterday. He’s going to have surgery tomorrow and he’ll be out for four to six months. He hopes to be back in October. His coaches think he came back a little too soon from his last injury.”