This week in Los Angeles, CA, was all about former UFC champion and Olympic medalist Ronda Rousey (12-2, 9 Submissions, 3 KOs) and Gina Carano (7-1, 1 Submission, 3 KOs) as they faced off ahead of Friday’s weigh-in.
They will be headlining an event on Saturday, May 16, at the Intuit Dome in LA, which will stream live worldwide on Netflix. “This event will be professionally sanctioned under the Unified Rules of MMA, with bouts contested over five 5-minute rounds using 4oz gloves, inside a hexagon cage.”
All of the fighters on the card were present for Thursday’s press conference, but as usual, it was Rousey’s comments that sent shockwaves through social media.
Here are the quotes from Rousey, Carano, and the rest of the main-card fighters.
RONDA ROUSEY QUOTES
On her relationship with Gina Carano going into their fight:
I feel like however this goes, if she takes me out and puts me down on the canvas, I think that she’s going to be the first person to help me up. And if I take her down and tap her out, I’ll be the first person to help her up. You know, we don’t need to hate each other to be able to give each other our best.
On MVP putting fighters first:
I think it’s incredible that Jake and Nakisa made it a priority to to put the fighters first and to to give them more of the profit share. And, you know, I actually get to see some of those numbers now and it’s it’s incredible how giving they’ve been and how they really want to showcase the fighters first before anything else.
On her past with the UFC:
I owe Dana and the Fertittas immensely and I would be caught dead before you ever heard me say a bad thing about any of them.
On her definition of greatness in MMA:
Mine is making history, having a cultural impact, and influencing the future of the sport.
On her impact on MMA:
So now me and Gina are smashing the record for the most women have ever been paid in combat sports. And who’s to say we can’t parlay the success of this to me and her making a genre shattering martial arts film with Netflix after this? Who says the success of this fight can’t create the rival that UFC needs and give fighters the bargaining power that they’ve never had? Hell, if we knock this out of the park, I could become the face of MMA or the face of MVP in MMA and the most powerful figure in the sport since Dana. I am not chasing greatness, motherf****r I am greatness.
GINA CARANO QUOTES
On if she will be aggressive during her fight vs. Ronda Rousey:
There’s just not going to be a problem with the aggression at all.
On how she feels now that it’s almost fight night:
I’m just trying to relish every moment and not rush through it. I mean, I’m going to miss this so much, but it’s been so incredible to be back in the next martial arts community. I never thought I would be doing this after … Five years ago I gave up the dream, and then a turn of events and I’m so grateful to Ronda for bringing me back into this and just the people.
On her preparation for the fight:
I’ve worked so hard. My camp has been grueling on my body and my mind. I mean, I would have stopped probably 30 pounds ago if I didn’t have this goal. And having Ronda as the goal has gotten me out of bed every single morning.
On being inspired by Ronda Rousey:
I said in an interview a long time ago that one day the women that I inspire are going to inspire me right back. I just had no idea it was going to be Ronda Rousey.
On Ronda Rousey’s future in the business side of MMA:
I think Ronda would kill it as a promoter, as a matchmaker. I mean, she brings this magnetic energy of making big things happen and bringing people together.
NATE DIAZ QUOTES
On his thoughts before facing Mike Perry:
He looks good, man. He’s all ready to rock. Me, too.
On Mike Perry saying their fight will be a “car crash”:
Drive safely.
On his goals for facing Mike Perry:
I’m just trying to not f**k up and get the job done.
MIKE PERRY QUOTES
On his thoughts before facing Nate Diaz:
I’m very confident in all the work I’ve done and my fighting abilities. He looks like he’s in great shape from photos and videos I’ve seen. So, I’m ready to have a freaking battle for five rounds or 5 seconds. It don’t matter.
On his preparation for the fight:
I’m really looking forward to it. I put a ton of work in. I’m in the best shape of my life, and I’m ready to show that to everybody.
On what he expects from Nate Diaz:
So, you know, he’s coming throwing punches, too. We gonna be scrapping in the middle. and it could go anywhere. I know he has a lot of skills when we tie up and things like that. So, I’m excited to have a car crash.
FRANCIS NGANNOU QUOTES
On his plans to solidify his status as a heavyweight great by defeating Philipe Lins:
I think all the stars are aligned for me to prove that on Saturday night.
On being one of the best fighters in the heavyweight division:
I don’t think there’s a doubt about it, but if somebody have a doubt about it, I have to prove it on Saturday night.
On Jon Jones joining the event’s broadcast team:
If I see him around, I’ll give him some advice for business.
On potentially facing Jon Jones in the future:
I think if the condition was right, we could fight each other. He would be the most exciting fight in my career. I think that’s the only thing that will be holding me around for a long time hoping, maybe after my 50s, hoping that that fight could have happened.
PHILIPE LINS QUOTES
On his thoughts on public predictions for his fight vs. Francis Ngannou:
I think 99% of the people think that Francis is going to win this fight, but I’m training hard. I’m looking for a victory over him. It’s the best opportunity of my MMA career.
On his goal to defeat Francis Ngannou on Saturday night:
I desire it. And I’m going Saturday night for the win for sure.
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