Alistair Overeem – Photo by Getty Images
Press Release – LOS ANGELES, CA – On this week’s “UFC Tonight,” Guest Host Karyn Bryant conducts an exclusive interview with Alistair Overeem. Ariel Helwani talks to Lightweight Champ Benson Henderson about this weekend’s rematch with Frankie Edgar, while Bryant and “UFC Tonight” Analyst Kenny Florian interview Edgar on the rematch. Cung Le talks about his fight with Rich Franklin at UFC’s first trip to China. Plus, updates on Rory MacDonald, Josh Koscheck and GSP.
Quote of the Week: Overeem talked to dos Santos in person recently about fighting: “I think he’s afraid to fight me. He was happy that the last fight on May 26 didn’t happen against us. I approached him at the UFC Fighter Summit in Vegas and said, let’s do it. Let’s prove something to the world and lets fight. Then he suddenly acted like he didn’t understand English and how he wants to fight Cain first. The fact of the matter is I’m the number-one heavyweight in the world and if he wants to be the number-one heavyweight, he has to come through me.”
Overeem on getting his license back: “My manager and I have a good relationship with the (Nevada State Athletic) Commission and we’re taking all steps necessary and following all the rules and I don’t expect any problems to get my license from the commission when the time comes.”
Overeem responds to Junior dos Santos’ remarks that he wants to fight him: “First he wants to fight Cain [Velasquez] and now me. Talk all you want. Come into the Octagon. I will immediately say yes. Give me and the fans what they want. But he’s expecting that fight not to happen. I would welcome that fight and want it to happen. I would say yes every time to that fight.”
Overeem’s message to dos Santos: “Junior, give me and the fans and the UFC what they want. You’ve already fought Cain. That would just be another win. But a win over me would give you the number-one spot. Without a win over me, they’ll always question your championship. So bring it to the table my friend.”
“UFC Tonight” Analyst Kenny Florian breaks down the first fight between Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson: “Edgar adjusts so well in fights and he adjusts even better in rematches. Frankie has always been very good with changing the tempo. He went three for three in takedowns before the up-kick in the first fight, but after the up-kick went two for nine. Henderson was so successful in landing the more damaging blows, whether it was with the kicks or submission attempts, he had Frankie Edgar in some serious trouble. At the end of the day, that is what the judges remember.”
Henderson on his upcoming fight with Edgar: “I think we’re going to have some different dance steps this time. But it’s all about who got better at what they do. I hope the fight and flow will go the same way as last time and it’ll end up with my hand raised again.”
Henderson on his size advantage over Edgar: “Frankie was being called one of the pound-for-pound best guys in the Octagon when he was winning and as the champion. Nobody was saying how small he was then. I think it’s kind of humorous that it changes when he loses. But I try to use whatever advantage I can in the Octagon.”
Edgar on how he sees his rematch with Henderson ending: “I am not really big with predications, but I want to get my hand raised and go home with the belt.”
Edgar on how he will fight differently in this rematch: “I really think I did an ok job with his size. The up-kick kind of just happened. You don’t see them too often and when they land they are pretty devastating. It definitely rang my bell.”
Edgar on what he will change in this next fight: “I think I fought pretty well [in the first fight]. I think some of the takedowns and kicks I caught, I just need to capitalize on them a little better this time around.”
Edgar on his mindset coming in as a challenger this fight: “Every fight I fight to win. I think when you start out and you have your first fight, it’s your biggest fight to date. As you move on every fight becomes bigger and bigger in your mind. It’s a little more motivating since I didn’t get the win last time and I get a little redemption here.”
Edgar on winning back the belt: “You get accustomed to being called a champion. It’s something I definitely miss and I am looking forward to getting it back.”
Edgar on going down a weight class and fighting Jose Aldo: “I’m not even going to acknowledge that question because I am fighting in four days for the lightweight title, so I’m thinking of Benson Henderson and him alone right now.”
Florian on who will win Henderson vs. Edgar: “I love both of these guys. They are both so good. They had such a great fight, such a close fight, but how do you bet against Frankie Edgar. He has been great at making adjustments in rematches.”
Florian on Rory MacDonald not being able to fight BJ Penn: “I spoke with his coach, Jonathan Chambers, and he said Rory was looking very, very sharp. They said the sharpest they have ever seen him in his preparation against BJ Penn. But his sparring partner threw a technique you are not supposed to throw while sparing and cut MacDonald right above the eye. It was a cut that went right down to the bone. It ended up needing 38 stitches. They want to keep him out of sparring for a month and a half, so it looks like that fight is going to be postponed.”
Cung Le about fighting Rich Franklin in China: “Not only does Dana White want it, I want it. I would love to fight in China, for the UFC’s first time in China. I will do everything in my power to get there and to be 100 percent. A contract is not signed yet, I am waiting to get released from my doctors. They have to follow procedure, but I am going to get it.”
Florian on Georges St-Pierre’s return: “I talked to GSP’s coaches today, and it looks like he’ll fight in November in Montreal against Condit. He had his first sparring session today. They say he looked great and he’ll be ready to go.”
Florian on the ref’s decision to stop Wagner Prado’s fight against Phil Davis at UFC ON FOX after the eye poke: “It’s not up to the fighter to determine if they can keep fighting. These guys are tough and even if they’re missing a limb, they’ll still want to fight. It comes down to the referee and the doctor, and it’s their decision to do what’s best to protect the fighter.”
“UFC Tonight” is the official weekly news and information show of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, airing every Tuesday night at 10:00 PM ET on FUEL TV. The show is co-hosted by veteran UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian. Two-time World MMA Awards Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani adds insider news.
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