Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Check out the second episode of Embedded for UFC 249.
UFC 249 is almost here (finally), and as usual, Embedded is here as well. The show that gives you an inside look at the marquee contestants on PPVs has issued the second episode for this weekend’s big show in Jacksonville, and it serves as a brief introduction to the fighters at the top of the card.
We start off in San Diego with Dominick Cruz. He’s getting a haircut from his longtime stylist, who is wearing a mask. He tells a story about Ronda Rousey judo throwing him so hard that he nearly knocked him out. He was angry, but he admits that she wrecked him. Well played, Ronda.
We’re off to Colorado with Justin Gaethje. His dog is named Raider, after the football team. He’s happy to have him so he’s not alone in COVID times. His parents didn’t like dogs growing up. He throws the (pretty big) dog on his back and piggybacks him. That was funny. Back at home, he’s playing pool with his coach. They’re talking some smack, as is expected. He talks about his fight mantra – that being exciting makes him money. He makes more than most because of his fighting style. He wants to win a belt to solidify his status.
Back to San Diego and Cruz. He’s running for an hour in his hood. He sees a fan, who says “Cejudo’s got no chance!”
Back to Colorado again. Gaethje is hanging with coach Trevor Wittman. Wittman has a cut-up UFC glove that he turned into a wallet. They’re playing a weird game of soccer-tennis. You’d have to see it, I can’t describe it. The Highlight does some shadowboxing. Wittman says the delay in the schedule actually helped because it gave Gaethje more time to peak.
Over in Jacksonville, Tony Ferguson is playing catch with some friends. He talks about his love of baseball and getting Kirk Gibson’s autograph when he was a kid, then bringing him the ball way later to sign again. He went for a 5.6 mile run and he’s acclimated already. He discusses cutting the weight for the proposed April 18th date that was pushed back.
And that’s it! UFC 249 goes down in Jacksonville this Saturday night.