kenny florian - ufc tonightUFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian is joined by guest host Michael Bisping. The crew interviews interim heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and rising lightweight contender Tony Ferguson. Karyn Bryant and Ariel Helwani add reports.                                                            

UFC TONIGHT Guest Host Michael Bisping on who Chad Mendes should fight next:“There’s an Irishman out there who may not have liked what he saw Saturday morning. But I don’t think Chad should wait for the winner of Aldo – McGregor. I think he should fight the winner of Frankie Edgar and Urijah Faber.

UFC TONIGHT Host Kenny Florian on Mendes’ next fight: “I’d like to see him fight No. 8 ranked Charles Oliveira next. He shouldn’t wait. Who knows what’s going to happen with Aldo – McGregor. Aldo might go to lightweight and Chad will be right back in there for the title.”

Bisping on Rampage Jackson losing his legal battle and off of UFC 186: “It’s really disappointing. Let’s not forget Rampage is 36 years old and it’s tough for him to wait for this to work out and sit on the sidelines. There’re always two sides of every story. But don’t worry: I’m here to save the day. I’m going to smash C.B. Dollaway.”

Bisping on Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Mirko Cro Cop: “I was there the first time Gonzaga beat Cro Cop and history will repeat itself. Gonzaga won’t win the same way, but he’ll use his wrestling and jiu jitsu and will submit Cro Cop in the first round.”

Florian on Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop: “I think Gonzaga has less miles and more ways to win, his wrestling, jiu jitsu and striking will get him there.”

Jon Anik on Al Iaquinta’s controversial postfight interview: “It was a close fight. I know Al well. He’s an emotional 27-year-old fighter and a passionate New Yorker and he had the crowd on his side during the fight. His emotions boiled over. I think this will spike his popularity. This was a seminal moment for him in the Octagon.”

Fabricio Werdum on finally facing Cain Velasquez for the title: “On June 13, I’ll show everyone who’s the real champion.

Werdum on who the Mexican crowd will be rooting for in the title fight: “I think 80 percent for him, 20 percent for me.”

Werdum on how he’ll fight Velasquez: “I think Cain has good boxing, good wrestling and good conditioning, but if he takes down me, I say thank you. I’m good. It’s my home. I think he’ll stay there. I’ll finish him.”

Werdum on how the fight will end: “I don’t know. When I beat Fedor, I had the same feeling. I’m very confident. I don’t think I’ll lose the fight. I’m going to win for sure.

Daniel Cormier to Fabricio Werdum: “The UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez told me to tell you to stop carrying the belt everywhere. It’s making him mad. If you take it to the Florida media tour, he’s going to take it away from you. To be the man, you have to beat the man.”

Werdum on Cormier: “I love him. Five years ago, he helped me with a lot of training with wrestling. When we first met, I took him down. I took him down three times. He grabbed me in a double leg and took me down and I got him in an armbar. You remember that!”

Tony Ferguson on if he believes he’ll fight for the title soon: “I see a title shot in the future. Looking at the guys holding the belt, I believe I belong right where I’m at. I want to fight for the title in possibly one more fight.”

Ferguson on if he’s earned respect in the UFC: “It’s taken too long. The only fight I lost, I broke my arm in round two. I still finished the fight. Now I’ve fought my way back. Josh Thomson is right there. I think now is the time for people to start recognizing ‘El Cucuy’. The year of the Boogeyman is here.”

Ferguson on beating Thomson: “He wanted to retire before this fight and I’m going to help him get there quicker. Fans are expecting fireworks. He’s very smart fighter. But I’ll put my brown belt vs. his black belt, like I did with Gleison Tibau. He’s over at AKA. I haven’t fought them, but I take great pride taking on great teams. This fight ends with a finish. I go in with a finish attitude and come out with a finish attitude. I’m not one of the guys who leaves it to the hands of the judges.”

UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on heavyweight Frank Mir’s next bout: “The UFC has confirmed that Frank Mir fights Todd Duffee on July 15 on FOX Sports 1 in San Diego.”

Helwani on Nate Diaz’s next fight: “The UFC has told me that Nate Diaz fights Matt Brown on July 11 at UFC 189. Nate moves up to 170 pounds for this fight.”

Helwani on Tyron Woodley’s return: “Tyron Woodley wants to fight on July 11 against Johny Hendricks. He wants to show the world he can fight for the belt.”

Helwani on Sara McMann’s next fight: “Sara McMann wants to fight Cat Zingano next. Zingano told me she’s taking it slow and not sure yet.”

Leave a Reply