UFC on FX 1 main card fighters talk about their upcoming bouts
On Thursday, open workouts took place for the quickly approaching UFC on FX fight card. The event will take place this Friday from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN and it will be headlined by a lightweight battle between Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller. Several fighters that are competing on the main card took the time to offer their thoughts on their upcoming fights will at the open workouts.
“I am looking at making a statement on FX against another top guy in the division. He’s one of the best fighters in the world at this weight and it is a great main event.”
“What happened (to me) last time (first round loss against Joe Lauzon) was a mistake. I rushed in so hard and fast I was stunned with a jab and from there I lost the fight. It was kinda dumb, but I am young enough to learn as long as realize the mistake. I made the mistake, it didn’t just happen, I know that but I also know I’m still one of the best fighters in the division.”
“But I am ready for this fight with Miller. He’s a top guy, maybe the No3 or No4 in the division, and if I perform like I can do, I think it will be hard for people to say that I didn’t deserve a UFC title shot. I won’t be reckless, but you will see what I can do on FX Friday night. You will see the Young Assassin!”
“I’m only 28, but the thing about me is I always think I need to make things happen right now. I’ve only lost one fight in eight, but I made mistakes in that loss to Ben Henderson and I made mistakes in the wins before that, and I am in a hurry to correct those, win some fights, and get a title shot. Some people say I am more consistent than Melvin in the Octagon, but Melvin is very dangerous on the feet and with someone like that, one mistake is all it takes. I will watch out for his power, but I will be taking this fight to him right from get-go.
“He doesn’t like fighting when you crowd him, but he’s a very quick puncher and will always be very dangerous on the counter. He’s a top lightweight with a lot of weapons, but I think I can beat him go on to challenge for the belt in 2012. On Saturday morning, he will know he’s been in a fight on Friday night. He won’t feel too good; that’s what I want to do in my fights, let them know right away they are in a fight.”
“This is going to be a good, old-fashioned street fight right out of the 1930s, when they used to fight for food in the mean streets of New York. I’m trying to say it will be a war, without saying that because everyone says that. But this is going to be a wild fight on Friday night.
“I’m excited to be fighting now as the official fastest KO (scorer) in UFC history. It was a long-time coming – six years – since I stopped Jonathan Goulet in six seconds in Las Vegas. The Nevada timekeeper wrote it down as 11second and for years I’ve had to hear other fighters get credit for being fastest KO when everyone knew I really held the record. Anyone in any job can make a mistake, but when people won’t admit to a mistake for years and years when it is right there in front of them, well, it kind of upset me and it was a campaign of mine to get the record set straight.
“I was very happy when (UFC President) Dana White tweeted on Christmas Eve that, as far as the UFC was concerned, I held the record for fastest KO ever in the Octagon. The Commissions may not keep a record book, but the UFC does and that’s what’s important, that the UFC and the UFC fans recognize what happened.”
“Right now, I am in the middle of the pack and I want to get ahead. The only way to do that is to win fight, to win big and win exciting and that’s what I came here to do. I’m ready for a war. I want to climb that ladder and get right into the thick of the most talented division in the UFC. The only way to stand out in this division is to be impressive and where better to impress than on cable TV…”
“He’s 6ft 6inches, and I am about 5ft 10inches, but everyone is taller than me so this isn’t any real big deal to me. I am coming off two losses but losses in great fights. I am here to win – but I won’t fight any other way than bomb, bomb, bombs away! Whether I am 0-2 in my last two or if I was 40-0, I would fight the same. I punch and kick full power with every shot until the other guy falls or I fall. It’s what I do, it is what I am.”
“Being on FX is great for me at this stage of my career. There will be a lot of people watching this and I am on the main card, which means more attention on this fight. That brings added pressure for some people, but for me that’s added excitement and added fun. Pat Barry is a good striker who goes looking for you, but then so am I. This will be a great fight for however long it lasts.”
Further Reading: Melvin Guillard talks “#1 Contender bout” with Jim Miller
