On UFC TONIGHT, Florian and Bryant are joined in the studio by newly named permanent co-host Daniel Cormier. They preview UFC 179: ALDO vs. MENDES 2 and interview headliner Chad Mendes and co-headliner Phil Davis. Plus, Helwani and Bryant add reports.
UFC TONIGHT Host Daniel Cormier on Mark Hunt fighting Fabricio Werdum for the interim heavyweight title at UFC 180: “It’d be a better fight if Mark Hunt had more time to be in a training camp. He’ll be fighting at elevation in Mexico City and Fabricio has already been training in Mexico City. But I know when Mark gets in the cage, he’ll be ready to fight. Mark Hunt is old school. They used to fight with little notice. When he gets in cage, he always brings it.”
Cormier on Aldo defending his title in Brazil: “It means a lot to him to be fighting there. We saw the celebration when he beat Mendes the first time. He went in the crowd and celebrated with the people. He’s the last Brazilian champion right now and he’s representing his country and bringing them back the title.”
UFC TONIGHT Host Florian on Aldo’s confidence going into the fight: “He says he doesn’t feel the pressure this time. He knows he can beat Chad Mendes. He’s got to use his footwork and avoid the takedowns. Use the kicks to slow him down. For Aldo, he’s got to keep it on his feet, avoid the takedowns from Mendes, and if he does, you’ve got to give the advantage to him.”
Cormier on Mendes’ improvement in the Octagon: “Before, it was wrestle, wrestle, wrestle in hope to win the fight, but now he can do everything. He’s got to push the pace and move forward, get in his face and make him uncomfortable. He has to vary his attack, use his knees and punches. He needs to take him down. He can’t have a striking battle with Aldo.”
Mendes on the difference between last fight and this one vs. Jose Aldo: “It’s been about two and a half years since that first fight. That was the first fight that I flew across the country and fought away from home. I didn’t know the system, I didn’t have anything down. I’ve fought four times in the UFC now. We have a head coach now. The first time we didn’t. I’ve closed some holes and tightened some things. He says he’s going to knock me out, but he’s going to be in for a rude awakening on Saturday.”
Mendes on how he’ll fight Aldo: “I’m the only person to fight him twice. A lot of the guys fighting him experience a big intimidation factor. But I’ve gotten in there, felt his power and gotten my hands on him and I truly believe I can beat this guy. There’s little things we’ve changed up from the first time. I have the striking now and I have the ability to knock him out.”
Mendes on if he’ll try to take Aldo down: “Of course, wrestling is always something I have. I’ve made improvements and filled in holes. As far as striking, it’s mixed martial arts, you have to mix it up to beat the guy.”
Mendes on Conor McGregor: “He’s a big joke. I look at the guy and I see dollar signs. He’s talking his way to the top. I’m not stopping that. He’s bringing recognition to the sport and the featherweight division. It’s the entertainment business. He’s going to hype up the fight and I’m going to get paid big time because I’m going to smash him.”
Phil Davis on keys to beating Glover Teixeira: “The keys are striking first and striking often – keeping him on his heels. Once he gets going, he’s like a Sherman tank, keeps moving forward and has a tight boxing stance.”
Davis on if he has the killer instinct: “I have the killer instinct. I have the ability to finish guys. I’ve done it before. Whatever it takes, I’ve got it.”
UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on Ronda Rousey’s next fight: “Dana White confirmed with me that Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano will take place Jan. 3 at UFC 182.”
Helwani on Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone’s next fight: “Dana White says they’re working on Myles Jury vs. Cowboy Cerrone. They could fight on Jan. 18, but it’s not 100 percent confirmed yet.”
Helwani on if Georges St-Pierre will return: “His coach tweeted out picture of him training. He’s been cleared to train. He told me his first day back in the gym was humiliating, but he felt better than last time he came back from an ACL injury. On his recent meeting with Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta, he said it was a great meeting. They laughed a lot. But he said they didn’t try to talk him back to fighting.”
Helwani on Yoel Romero’s next fight: “I spoke to his manager, and they asked the UFC for fight in January or February. They want a top-5 guy – a title-contender fight. I asked about Jacare Souza, and they said they would take it. I contacted Jacare and he said yes, he’d take the fight if it was a number-one contender fight.”
Helwani on Anthony Johnson’s return to the UFC: “Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson has civil hearing next week and the UFC wants to see that play out. They’re doing their own internal investigation as well. Then they will decide what to do with him. His manager is optimistic it’ll be resolved and he’ll be back in the UFC.”