It’s about a month away until we see UFC legends Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano step into the octagon to headline their event on May 16, which will stream live on Netflix worldwide.
On Wednesday, all of the big names joining Rousey and Carano in May also showed up to the press conference in NYC as they continue to promote their respective fights. It’s hard to say whether combat sports fans have grown more excited or lost some of that anticipation since the announcement some weeks ago. The real test will be on fight night and the numbers the event produces.
Below are quotes from the fighters who attended Wednesday’s press conference in New York City.
RONDA ROUSEY QUOTES
On the promotion leading up to the fight:
It’s actually been really fun coming back and realizing how much I love it. Press always seemed like such a chore before. Coming back to the last press conference, I was like, “You know what? I’m really fucking good at this. This is really fun.” And this is a really special event. This is something that’s going to happen once in a lifetime at MMA. This is the beginning of something huge. And I’m just so grateful to everybody that’s on the stage today that’s willing to be a part of it.
On others’ reactions to her return to MMA:
I think I needed everybody to give up on me fighting again for me to know I was coming back to fight just for me. And I think that fighting became about everybody else, and that’s what started to steal my joy from it. And my last two fights, I just didn’t want to be there. And Gina’s the one person that ignited that fire in me again to want to be there. And now I know it’s just for me because everybody gave up on it.
On how far she’s come with her health and training:
I think we both needed this. We needed this goal, and I think it’s the exact perfect time that it needed to happen. I’m glad I didn’t work out before because before it would’ve just been something to us, but now this means something to the entire industry.
On the current state of women’s fighting:
Well, I think it’s getting to a point where it’s not a novelty to have women headlining events becoming commonplace. Hopefully, it’s so common that it doesn’t even deserve a mention. I think the ultimate goal is for women to have the same views and bring in the same revenue as the men and to be able to be compensated the same as them as well.
On fighting for MVP and Netflix:
I think that fighting for MVP and on Netflix, it makes this fight bigger than us. It’s a game-changer for the entire industry. And I think that this is going to… Everything’s going to be different for all of the fighters after this. This is an experiment that Netflix is undertaking, and I think that we’re going to outperform every single expectation on this card.
GINA CARANO QUOTES
On the promotion leading up to the fight:
I feel like I get to do this again, but the right way with the right vibe, with an incredible opponent. It’s groundbreaking. And I feel real peace and excitement about it. So it’s not anxiety, it’s like excitement, and that’s new for me.
On others’ reactions to her return to MMA:
The last couple of years were a bit tough, and now my family looks at me and says, “You look healthy again.” And my mom was like, “Are you going to do this? You have to make a decision, yes or no. And if you do it, you do it 100%.” Before, I don’t think a lot of people liked to see me fight, but I think that I’ve never felt more close to God than when I am fighting. I’ve never felt so myself because all of the impurities and bullshit goes away, and you really have to trust yourself in there to face your opponent. I missed this feeling, and I think the people that care about me know how precious this is to get back to myself after losing myself for so long.
On the motivation to prepare for the fight:
I wouldn’t have pushed myself to the place I’m at right now without having said yes to this fight. In the depths of my soul and my body, I mean, I wouldn’t have pushed it this hard unless I had this insane opponent gunning for me. Your [Ronda’s] Instagram videos really are inspiring. I’m like, “Okay. I’m purposely not putting anything out there because I don’t want to get you anything to look at.”
On this opportunity for redemption:
I became more of a fan of fighters after I gave up fighting. Five years ago, I was like, “Okay, I’ll probably never fight again.” And so I got really into watching the fights and getting all giddy and getting actually nervous around fighters more than actors I’ve been across. And so, I became a genuine fan. So for me to be able to sit up here with these incredible fighters is huge, but also to face that in myself and kind of round out my story in MMA as well. A lot of people only know me as an actor and then they find out I’m a fighter. And Ronda’s been so gracious to reintroduce me to the world. So it’s really cool to have that recognized. I think that you’re going to see the best of me. I really feel you’re going to see the best version of me.
On creating a new status quo for fighters:
It is amazing to see how far the sport has come…I had knocked some doors down, she [Ronda] knocked some doors down, and now we’re knocking doors down, this door down together. It’s just, I don’t know, it’s just magical.
NATE DIAZ QUOTES
On making the decision to be a part of this card:
I thought it was a big opportunity, a good thing, to be a part of Netflix’s first MMA card and to be alongside these guys right here, the best of the best. We’re out here, and we’ve got good opponents. Gina Carano, legend, Ronda Rousey, Francis. It’s an honor to be a part of it. I’m glad I’m here.
On how he feels about Mike Perry as an opponent:
Yeah, I’ve got a big task on my hands. He’s been doing great outside, and he’s doing the biggest and the best things out here, and he’s whooped the most asses. I’ve got a worthy opponent and a big task at hand. I’m getting ready for war.
I think he calls for a good fight. He’s a real fighter. He comes aggressive. He tries to finish, tries to take people out, and I do the same. I think that’s what you get with that fight.
MIKE PERRY QUOTES
On facing off against Nate Diaz:
A lot of young guys grew up watching UFC, seeing this guy, the Ultimate Fighter. Now I have the chance to fight him after everything I’ve proven, the king of violence, the bare-knuckle fighting, the true pain games. I’m here for the blood sport. It’s tough with Ronda and Gina being so professional, and Nate doing it too. We got to talk some shit, hype it up, man. Me and Nate are going to be fucking bleeding all over the place. Hopefully more him than me.
On his experience with boxing, in addition to MMA:
I believe I’m going to hit Nate like he’s never been hit before. I understand that he’s very experienced, but I believe in the way the momentum is rolling, the youth I have on my side, the speed and power I have, and the energy. I’m looking to hit him harder than he’s ever been hit, give him something he’s never felt.
On being the real king of violence:
May 16th, we’re going to co-lab, and one of us is going to walk away with both. I’m going to walk away with both. I’m the real BMF fighter, that’s what people called it…when this fight got signed, they were excited to see the fight that they didn’t get, and now they’re getting it, and I’m going to be all over this motherfucker like white on rice
FRANCIS NGANNOU QUOTES
On his opponent, Philipe Lins:
Of course, he represents a lot of challenges. I think we make the mistake of thinking of fighters as household names. It’s not about household names. There was a day that I wasn’t a household name, and I was still a dangerous fighter for any of my opponents. Maybe they looked down to me because I wasn’t a household name, and then the punishment for that didn’t come straight away. So I don’t want to make the same mistake.
I think we are talking about a guy that’s more in the position to come after me than I’m in the position to go after him. He basically wants my place, what I have, and I’m not willing to let him get that. So it’s kind of a tricky thing. People undermine the motivation, the purpose that someone will have to fight, the reason why somebody will fight, and then just think of the name. Names don’t fight. People fight. I just fight. I’m sure he’s been in the gym training. Even before this fight, he was training every day. So yeah, I better be ready before I find out about that household name.
On his hopes for a rematch against Tyson Fury:
I’ve been hoping for that rematch for a long time. It’s not happening. If it ever happens, I’ll be ready. That’s all that I can say.
PHILIPE LINS QUOTES
On facing off against Francis Ngannou:
It was a very good energy to face off with Francis. He’s an MMA giant. I respect him. Being in New York, Manhattan, Times Square, brings me great memories. In 2018, I became a heavyweight champion here. So I am always amazed to be here again. And my next fight is going to be the most important fight of my MMA career. It’s going to be the biggest opportunity I have in my hands to be the best version of myself every day, every training session, every week, understanding better than what I need to do to beat Francis Ngannou. All respect to him.
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