On UFC TONIGHT, host Kenny Florian and guest host Daniel Cormier preview the upcoming UFC 175 and TUF FINALE fights, and interview the headliners Chris Weidman, Lyoto Machida, Ronda Rousey and Urijah Faber. Plus, Ariel Helwani and Karyn Bryant add reports.
UFC TONIGHT’s Kenny Florian on Chael Sonnen: “He’s a buddy of mine. He’s a professional athlete and he’s an adult and is responsible for what he puts in his body. The silver lining is this will help clean up the sport. Fighters will be more aware of what they put in their body. We wish Chael the best.”
UFC TONIGHT guest host Daniel Cormier on Chris Weidman: “To be the man, you have to beat the man. Weidman did it twice. I think Weidman’s the best, not only at 185, but could be at 205. But Lyoto Machida is the anti-wrestler. Machida has a really sneaky way to keep you from getting him down. This will be a very close fight. For Weidman, he needs to keep his front foot on the outside of Machida’s foot – it’s boxing 101 – whoever has the outside foot, leads the dance. He finds his angle and punch, punch, and makes Lyoto reset his feet and then he can attack the takedown. If he gets the takedown, he’s a great grappler from the top and has to control fight from there.”
Florian on Weidman vs. Machida: “Weidman beat the GOAT, the greatest of all time – Anderson Silva, not just once, but twice. He has the wrestling, the striking and the confidence. But Lyoto is fast, has great striking, keeps the range and has a great strategy. He’s one of the best in the UFC. Machida keeps guys on the outside, and frustrates them by leading them in. He goes back, back and back, and then throws a punch right down the middle. He also uses the angles very well.”
Chris Weidman on if he’ll finish the fight: “I got a full training camp and I will finish the fight.”
Weidman on how tough Machida is: “I think Machida is the toughest test for me in the division. Tougher than Anderson – Anderson has a mental edge on most his opponents. Machida is more well-rounded, has better wrestling, and he’s more elusive. He’s not afraid to win a boring decision. I have to maintain my patience, but stay aggressive.”
Weidman on how he’ll beat Machida: “I’m going to mix it up. It’s all about deception, it’s physical game of chess. I expect to hit him and he’ll still be there. I always expect to go through tough times in a fight, but hope for the best.”
Lyoto Machida on how he’ll beat Weidman: “He’s a complete fighter. Every time I fight a wrestler, I feel very comfortable because I can keep my distance. It’s for sure he’s going to grab me, but I’ll be prepared for the defense and I’m prepared to go to the ground.”
Machida on fighting Weidman, who’s undefeated: “I have a good result against undefeated fighters. Rashad was undefeated and Thiago Silva was undefeated. I can do my best. I can’t say my strategy for the fight.”
Machida on wanting to win the title: “My main goal is to be a champ for a long time.”
Florian on how Alexis Davis could fight Ronda Rousey: “Alexis Davis has never been submitted. Davis is an excellent striker, is great at Muay Thai in the clinch, and she’ll need kicks to keep Ronda on the outside. She’s also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Her coaches are very confident she won’t get arm-barred by Rousey.”
Cormier on Rousey’s strengths against Davis: “I think Ronda Rousey can arm bar anybody. She’s a great athlete and has competed at the highest levels, in the Olympics twice, and won a bronze medal. Nobody is a better competitor. Competing is in her blood. She’s going to fight someone who is not afraid to get in her face in Alexis Davis. And Davis is not afraid of going to the ground because she’s never been submitted.”
Ronda Rousey on wanting to fight on this card: “After experiencing ring rust the last time, I asked to be on this card. There are not tune-up fights in the UFC. I knew if I fought now I’d be ready for the New Year’s card.”
Rousey on fighting Alexis Davis: “She’s the only one I haven’t beaten in the division yet. This is the first time I’m fighting a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. She gets a lot less attention, not because she’s not an amazing fighter, but because her Instagram account is still private. If she put out a little more effort to put herself out more, maybe the odds makers would focus on her more.”
Rousey on if she’s focused on this fight or making movies: “I wanted to fight. This is the most focused I’ve been in camp ever. This is the best camp ever. This fight camp is all about this fight and I’m more focused for this fight than ever before.”
Urijah Faber on wanting to be on UFC 175 Prelims on FOX Sports 1: “People have to pay for the Pay-Per-View, but the Prelims on FOX Sports 1 are free and go out to more fans. All the people in bars can watch for free. I asked my management to get that spot. It’s weird being on an undercard, I’ve never been on one before, but it’s a small price to pay to let all my fans see me for free.”
Insider Ariel Helwani on Jose Aldo out of UFC 176: “UFC president Dana White confirmed with me that Jose Aldo is injured and is now out of his fight with Chad Mendes at UFC 176 at Los Angeles. There’s no word on a replacement yet.”
Helwani reports on a Dillashaw – Barao rematch: “I’ve heard that the UFC is planning TJ Dillashaw against Renan Barao 2 on August 30 in Sacramento. Expect that announcement soon.”