LOS ANGELES, CA – On UFC TONIGHT, Kenny Florian and Karyn Bryant are joined in the studio by guest hosts Michael Bisping. They preview UFC FIGHT NIGHT: JACARE vs. MOUSASI and interview headliner Gegard Mousasi before his fight on Friday night. Plus, THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER coach Gilbert Melendez and several contestants join in studio to talk about this season. Helwani and Bryant also add reports.
UFC TONIGHT Guest Host Michael Bisping on his beef with Luke Rockhold: “He wanted to bet on the fight. He said if he beats me, he gets my purse and I get his. We saw him at the zoo taking good care of tigers. Luke, I want to fight you, but the bet’s off.”
UFC TONIGHT Host Kenny Florian on Jacare Souza vs. Gegard Mousasi: “Jacare came into MMA a little raw, but now he’s an awesome striker and he’s still one of the best grapplers in the world. He’s very comfortable in the Octagon now. But Mousasi is stoic, patient, and can knock you out on the feet. He also has submissions, and Jacare can’t sleep on him. This isn’t a jiu jitsu match.”
Bisping on Souza vs. Mousasi: “This is a huge fight in the division. Jacare came into the division as a highly touted submission guy. At the start, he was submitting everyone, but now he’s been knocking out people. But Mousasi is a beast. He’s done it all. He’s got knockout power. He’s got submissions. He’s got wrestling. He’s very well rounded, very experienced and that means he’s very dangerous.”
UFC middleweight Gegard Mousasi on his rematch against Jacare Souza: “He’s a totally different fighter now. He’s grown he’s more confident and it’s a totally different fight.”
Mousasi on being friends with Jacare: “He’s a nice guy. But we have to fight now. I think he feels like he has a good chance to beat me, and he wants to get to the title.”
Mousasi on where he’ll be in the division if he wins: “Definitely in the top three. Luke Rockhold is there. Bisping is there also, but people will think I challenge him if I say his name. Those are the guys coming off a big wins and I think I’ll be right there.”
VIDEO: Mousasi Interview
Florian on Jacare’s keys to victory: “He’s got to throw combinations and don’t just go for the big shots. He’s got to land the takedowns. He’ll have the advantage on the mat. He’s got to use his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the takedowns and hit his patented kimura.”
Bisping on Mousasi’s keys to victory: “He’s one of the most experienced middleweights in the division. He’s got to control the range and establish the position with his jab. He’s got to use the jab and keep him on the outside. He’s got to use the clinch and stop the takedown. Jacare’s BJJ will be useless if he doesn’t take you down.”
VIDEO: Final Round / StrikeZone and Predictions: Jacare vs. Mousasi
UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem on the dangers that Ben Rothwell poses: “Ben’s a big guy, 260 – 265 pounds. He hits hard. He’s going to be strong. I have to watch out for the overhand right. He has a good left hook. But the submission game, not so much. I’m ready. There’s a lot of new stuff I’m going to show you.”
Overeem on his new training camp: “I’m learning every day. I went in with an open mindset. It was the right choice. Everyone is fantastic. I’m expecting good results from the high altitude training.”
Overeem on the Jon Jones injury: “It was very innocent. It happened in warmup. It was a freak accident. Nothing intentionally happened. I was bummed, too, that the fight isn’t happening.”
VIDEO: Overeem Interview
UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani reports on an upcoming fight for Shogun Rua: “I’m hearing the UFC is considering booking Jimi Manuwa fighting Shogun Rua in November 8 in Brazil. Is he ready after the Alexander Gustafsson loss?”
Helwani on Hector Lombard’s next fight: “The UFC is interested in booking Tyron Woodley and Hector Lombard in Australia on November 8. But Tyron Woodley isn’t interested in it. They both train at American Top Team, but in different gyms. Hector says they don’t train together and wants this fight.”
Helwani on what’s next for Duane Ludwig: “I spoke to him recently and he said he’s focused on building Ludwig Martial Arts in Colorado now. He’ll go help train guys in Sacramento, but hopes some of the fighters come to him as well.”
Helwani on Alexander Gustafsson’s next fight: “I spoke with Gustafsson’s manager and he says they’re willing to take another fight now.”
THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER coach Gilbert Melendez on when he’ll fight Anthony Pettis for the title: “On December 6 in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay.”
Melendez on if he experienced tension against Pettis on the show: “I do my talking in the cage. I try to be genuine on the show and focus on the ladies. We were standoffish.”
Melendez on coaching women on the show: “They’re different creatures. These girls are real professionals and it was a pleasure working with them. You could see the emotion and passion. There was some snarling in there, and some bad blood. All these ladies wanted to be there and they delivered.”
VIDEO: Cast of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER – Rose Namajunas, Jessica Penne and Carla Esparza – join UFC Tonight
UFC TONIGHT
UFC TONIGHT is the official weekly news and information show of the Ultimate Fighting Championship on FOX Sports 1. Veteran UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian, veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant and four-time World MMA Awards Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani bring you all the news and analysis.