(Left-to-right) Fedor, M-1 GLOBAL co-founders, Sergey Matvienko and Vadim Finkelstein, STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker and Werdum pose after the press conference. Photo by Esther Lin/Strikeforce

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Strikeforce‘s final press conference before Saturday’s “Fedor vs. Werdum” event took place on Thursday. Fedor Emelianenko, Fabricio Werdum, Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, Jan Finney, Cung Le, Scott Smith, Pat Healy, and Josh Thomson all fielded questions from the media and spoke about their upcoming fights.

“Fedor vs. Werdum” will air on Showtime Saturday, June 26, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, live from HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. In the main event, Fedor’s WAMMA Heavyweight Title will be on the line against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist and Abu Dhabi champion Fabricio Werdum. ProMMAnow.com will provide live results and play-by-play commentary during the event.

The World's No. 1 fighter, the famed Fedor Emelianenko (left) squares off with Brazil's Fabricio Werdum after Thursday's final press conference at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Fedor and Werdum will clash in the main event this Saturday, Feb. 26, on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at HP Pavilion. Photo by Esther Lin/Strikeforce

FEDOR

“I want to thank M-1 GLOBAL and all the organizations for putting this competition together. This is a very important fight for me.

“Fabricio Werdum is one of the greatest fighters. He is a legitimate top 10 fighter and proved that long ago. It is a great honor to perform against him.

“I’d prefer to stay in the background but I know I have media responsibilities that I have to do.’’

FABRICIO WERDUM

“I’m a Fedor fan. This is a very great honor for me to fight the No. 1 fighter in the world. I don’t think he has any weaknesses. I thank Fedor for taking this fight with me.

“I’ve had a great, strong camp. I have worked very hard in all aspects. I’m ready for this fight. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me. I’ve lived my whole life for this fight. I’m ready.’’

Cung Le (left) poses with Scott "Hands Of Steel'' Smith after the press conference. Smith will attempt to make it two-in-a-row against Le in one of the featured fights on SHOWTIME. Photo by Esther Lin/Strikeforce

SCOTT SMITH

“I train so hard and I always give it my all. I love MMA but there is something about the sense of urgency I feel during a third round. That’s why my plan for this fight is to bring the third round to the first, and fight the first round like the third.

“I’m a slow-starter and can’t wait to get the first round out of the way. But I’m going after Cung from the start this time.

“I’m really looking forward to fighting again and fighting regularly again. For me, six months is a long layoff.

“I never care who I fight, whether it is for a title or in a tourney. I just want to fight.

CUNG LE

“Scott Smith is a very tough guy and a hard guy to finish because he never quits. Against Scott, a fight is never over until it’s over.

“I didn’t listen to my corner between rounds of our first fight. I’d dominated the first two rounds, but instead of just scoring points in the third, I went for it all and emptied my tank.

“But that was our last fight and that was last year. I’m very excited about the rematch and proud to be on a show of this caliber.’’

The No. 1 Women's Fighter in the world, Cris Cyborg (left) will defend her STRIKEFORCE 145-pound title against hard-hitting Jan Finney Saturday. This will mark the first time in MMA history that a universally recognized No. 1 male and female fighter in the world will step into the same cage on the same night. Photo by Esther Lin/Strikeforce

CRIS CYBORG

“I’m very happy to be fighting again in the same arena where I won the title and I’m confident I will successfully defend it on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to a great fight.’’

JAN “CUDDLES’’ FINNEY

“The four-fight winning streak I am on has given me a lot of momentum and confidence going into Saturday.

“Weight will not be a factor. I have fought at 140, even 150 before.

“This is very exciting for me because I literally have nothing to lose. There are no expectations for me. Everyone seems to be treating this matchup as if Cris is fighting someone they picked from the crowd or something like that. All that does is give me extra motivation.

“The key for me is to keep firing back, no matter what she is trying to do. I am in great shape. I am not nervous. I am excited for this opportunity. I hope to open some eyes come Saturday.’’

Pat "Bam Bam'' Healy (left) and Josh Thomson will mix it up in the opening fight of the night on SHOWTIME. Photo by Esther Lin/Strikeforce

JOSH THOMSON

“It took me a while after my last fight with Gilbert (Melendez) to regroup, lick some wounds and get healthy again, but now I am 100 percent and very thankful to be fighting on this great card. Thanks to Pat for taking this fight on such short notice.

“There is lots at stake in every fight. I know Saturday is going to be a tough fight. Pat is fighting really well and feels he deserves a shot at the title.

“I am looking forward to a great fight on Saturday.’’

PAT “BAM BAM’’ HEALY

“Training’s been great and I feel great. I am ready to go in there and turn people’s heads and show them that I am a legit 155-pounder.

“This was a quick turnaround for me, but I am very well prepared. I have a great game plan. This fight could go anywhere, but wherever it goes, I’ll be ready for it.’’

Leave a Reply