randy couture and gabriel gonzaga on espn news prior to ufc 74
The UFC public relations media machine is beginning to heat up in anticipation of UFC 74: “Respect” on August 25.

Earlier this week, UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture was a guest on the ESPN sports talk show, “Rome is Burning” with host Jim Rome. To check out that video click here.

Today, Couture and his upcoming opponent, Gabriel Gonzaga, appeared shoulder-to-shoulder on ESPNEWS to discuss their championship showdown. In addition, UFC President Dana White appeared beforehand in a separate segment.

For those who missed it click here. Be sure to check it out if you have the chance.

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August 3rd, 2007     46 Comments

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46 Comments »

Comment by Kevin
2007-08-03 15:45:27

Cool

 
Comment by Mike
2007-08-03 15:56:09

Yeah…cool.

 
Comment by Jammin
2007-08-03 16:48:04

HELP – my comp wont play the video. Will some one post the general points that were made.

I would appreciate it.

 
Comment by D Dogg
2007-08-03 17:35:40

haven’t watched it yet, but i’m so sick of dana white running his mouth, can’t he step back and let the stars be the stars?

 
Comment by Holdin Ropes
2007-08-03 17:43:04

DW does get personally involved a bit too much for my liking, but I am so glad he is at the helm, while we complain a lot I think in the next 5 years the UFC will be absolutely crazy and most of the things we bitch about now will be solved (drugs testing, extended periods between title defences and fighters pay etc…). No doubt though we will find new things to complain about.

Can’t wait for our boys (UFC fighters) to become superstars and get the money and recognition for their dedication that they deserve, this to me signals the beginning.

I just hope it doesn’t become more theatre than fight

 
Comment by adam
2007-08-03 17:47:53

[quote comment="118451"]HELP – my comp wont play the video. Will some one post the general points that were made.

I would appreciate it.[/quote]

dana isnt sure if he will take sherks belt away yet
he thinks randy is the underdog again
and called tito a baby
then he just talked about upcoming events

randy and gonzaga were sitting next to each other and the guy kept asking randy who he thinks is gonna win but randy did say it cause he thought it would be rude and they both have respect for each other

 
Comment by MJC_123
 
Comment by KOOLGUY
2007-08-03 18:48:52

does eney one have the link with dana???????

 
Comment by IceMuncher
2007-08-03 19:24:54

[quote comment="118464"]haven’t watched it yet, but i’m so sick of dana white running his mouth, can’t he step back and let the stars be the stars?[/quote]

He’s a promoter, that’s what they do. Aside from about a half dozen guys, like Liddell and Couture, most people don’t know any of the fighters involved. That’s why you have guys like Dana, Rogan and Couture going to these ESPN shows hyping up-coming fights.

Dana does a great job with it too. All the guys I watch events with love him, and they’re all casual fans. It seems only hardcore internet fans get their panties in a bunch with him. I don’t know why it’s like that, but so many online people get so upset with Dana whenever something bad happens in the UFC, even if it’s not his fault. Sherk gets a positive steroid test, and Dana’s damn near crucified for MMA’s steroid problems within hours. And if it’s not that problem, then it’s the fact he hasn’t integrated all the fighters and assets from an overseas promotion into the UFC within 8 weeks. Or that the fight purses reported to NSAC are too low.

Calm down kiddies. Go jog or something. Release your anger and step away from the keyboard before you hurt yourself.

 
Comment by IceMuncher
2007-08-03 19:26:44

[quote comment="118517"]does eney one have the link with dana???????[/quote]

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=2960126&n8pe6c2

 
Comment by Patrick
2007-08-03 19:59:20

How much bigger is gonzaga than couture? Jesus

 
Comment by wolfman
2007-08-03 20:07:41

[quote comment="118561"]How much bigger is gonzaga than couture? Jesus[/quote]

Gonzaga has 20 lbs. on him and I believe is an inch taller than Couture, who is 6′1″.

Thanks Mania for posting this, this is a very cool clip.

 
Comment by GSP4Prez
2007-08-03 20:08:42

I thought Gonzaga gave an excellent interview. He had some very eloquent and insitefull things to say about the upcoming fight.

 
Comment by Mamas Boy
2007-08-03 20:38:10

Gonzaga not a native english speaker. As a courtesy, the interviewer should cut the jive crap out and keep the questions at a standard sixth grade level.

Interviewer: Y’all ain’t gonna throw down right now are ya?!
Gonzaga: Baseball been bery bery good to me. Hit ball, run base!
Interviewer: Gabriel you trippin boyyiiii!
Gonzaga: No, I okay sanks you.

 
Comment by KOOLGUY
2007-08-03 20:56:55

[quote post="2930"]does eney one have the link with dana???????
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=2960126&n8pe6c2 [/quote]

thanks!!!!!!!!

 
Comment by Ray
2007-08-03 21:03:34

Gonzaga really needs to win this fight, take the money and hire himself a translator. Silva uses a translator and I think he should as well.

Props to him for trying his best though. It’s definitely difficult to be thrust into the spotlight and be forced to speak english.

 
Comment by All American
2007-08-03 21:17:44

Both these guys have class.

 
Comment by ufc get Fedor
2007-08-03 21:20:36

good post mania and fast too!

 
Comment by dan
2007-08-03 21:40:58

Great interview, Randy as always is a class act and Gongaza seems to be pretty decent too. I understand what people are saying that he should use a translator, but props to the guy for wanting to try and speak in english directly to the fans instead of thru somebody else.

The interviewer was annoying me tho by continuously trying to stir some bad blood between the two of them at the end of the interview.

It should be a great battle for those of us who love grappling. I don’t think we’ll be seeing any Cro Cop repeats tho.

 
Comment by Monthblanc
2007-08-03 23:12:39

Haven’t seen it yet but I think it’s a goodway to start the build up as everyone can see the aspect of MMA and what the fight is all about for those non followers.

 
Comment by tha spida
2007-08-03 23:19:09

[quote comment="118569"]I thought Gonzaga gave an excellent interview. He had some very eloquent and insitefull things to say about the upcoming fight.[/quote]

hahaha, thats some funny shit

 
Comment by clint notestine
2007-08-03 23:46:47

it’s scary how much gabe looks like my 9 year old brother, almost the same size too!

Yeah the guy doing the couture/gonzaga interview asked some really dumb questions. How many times did randy have to say no to saying who was going to win! Both guys are classes and didn’t want to sound like say Tito!

 
Comment by adam
2007-08-03 23:51:56

hey this is kinda random but when is fabricio werdum fighting again he is a pretty exciting fighter in my opinion

 
Comment by DirtyML
2007-08-04 00:01:09

Yeah that interviewer was really annoying, you can tell Randy was politely telling him not to ask him about a prediction for the fight, i mean what the hell do you think randy thinks? that he is going to predict Gonzaga is going to beat him?

Glad the fighters showed more class than the host, another win for MMA!

 
Comment by JaCoB
2007-08-04 00:05:40

[quote comment="118664"][quote comment="118569"]I thought Gonzaga gave an excellent interview. He had some very eloquent and insitefull things to say about the upcoming fight.[/quote]

hahaha, thats some funny shit[/quote]

I think at the end the interviewer really wanted to say that he wish he could understand what Gonzaga was saying.

 
Comment by Thor1982
2007-08-04 01:02:54

Stay classy san diego.

 
Comment by dsichameleon
2007-08-04 02:10:58

i think napao means caveman in portugese.

 
Comment by c-war
2007-08-04 03:21:32

[quote comment="118582"]Gonzaga not a native english speaker. As a courtesy, the interviewer should cut the jive crap out and keep the questions at a standard sixth grade level.

Interviewer: Y’all ain’t gonna throw down right now are ya?!
Gonzaga: Baseball been bery bery good to me. Hit ball, run base!
Interviewer: Gabriel you trippin boyyiiii!
Gonzaga: No, I okay sanks you.[/quote]
lmao, agreed completely. Just a side note, I always agree with what Mamas Boy says and think he’s hilarious.

 
Comment by Mahde
2007-08-04 09:03:03

[quote comment="118604"]Gonzaga really needs to win this fight, take the money and hire himself a translator. Silva uses a translator and I think he should as well.

Props to him for trying his best though. It’s definitely difficult to be thrust into the spotlight and be forced to speak english.[/quote]

He should get the money and take get himself a personal tutor.

 
Comment by john
2007-08-04 10:10:02

[quote comment="118561ights,"]How much bigger is gonzaga than couture? Jesus[/quote]

I didnt realize that gonzaga is actually 1 inch shorter than reandy. Then again randy just beat tim sylvia so the size difference is the last thing we should be talking about.

Once again Randy shows the outmost class, he is the consumate professional, and props to a young, hungry fighter like Gonzaga, he was very professional as well. When u r a good fighter, and u will face a tough opponant, u dont have to act like a dick to sell the fight(Tito). Its the UFC, bring it against a tough opponant, every time u get in the cage and the fights will sell themselves.

Seeing 2 classy heavyweights, sitting side by side, laughing and joking, 3 weeks before a 5 round title fight…. Is cool as hell… Very impressed, and cant wait to c it.

Tito, u dont gotta call your opponents “nappy headed ho” to sell a fight… If u would bring it for once, against a quality opponent… Your fights will sell themselves.

Props To Couture and Gonzaga…. Very impressive show of class. Thats what sepperates what the UFC is really all about, from the vision that narrow minded old heads have about the viciousness of the sport. Fighters keep showing your class, sportsmanship, and honor…. and this sport will have no choice but to go mainstream!

 
Comment by john
2007-08-04 10:12:53

[quote comment="118923"][quote comment="118604"]Gonzaga really needs to win this fight, take the money and hire himself a translator. Silva uses a translator and I think he should as well.

Props to him for trying his best though. It’s definitely difficult to be thrust into the spotlight and be forced to speak english.[/quote]

He should get the money and take get himself a personal tutor.[/quote]
[quote comment="118923"][quote comment="118604"]Gonzaga really needs to win this fight, take the money and hire himself a translator. Silva uses a translator and I think he should as well.

Hell Anderson Silva doesnt speak a freakin word of English, but we all love him. Shogun also doesnt speak a word of english but he is about to make the US public Fall in love with him. Gonzaga is ahead of both of them with his knowledge of the language… Gonzaga is poised to be a star in America, I dont know if he is ready for the title now, but the kid is young n he’s got a world of potential!
Props to him for trying his best though. It’s definitely difficult to be thrust into the spotlight and be forced to speak english.[/quote]

He should get the money and take get himself a personal tutor.[/quote]
[quote comment="118923"][quote comment="118604"]Gonzaga really needs to win this fight, take the money and hire himself a translator. Silva uses a translator and I think he should as well.

Props to him for trying his best though. It’s definitely difficult to be thrust into the spotlight and be forced to speak english.[/quote]

He should get the money and take get himself a personal tutor.[/quote]

 
Comment by D Dogg
2007-08-04 12:35:41

Ice Muncher, I agree with you on some points. I don’t blame DW for all those things, and I used to like him more too. I don’t hate him persay, I just think he enjoys the spotlight a little too much and runs the biggest MMA ‘league’ like his own personal private club.

I think if your casual fans who like DW spent more time on the internet with the fine details, they may be sick of him too.

But he’s done a lot for the sport and will continue to, but I wish he was a little more classy, professional, and objective. My opinion. Probably nitpicky. Need to go do some exercise I suppose. ;)

 
Comment by just1fix
2007-08-04 15:20:33

[quote comment="118956"]Seeing 2 classy heavyweights, sitting side by side, laughing and joking, 3 weeks before a 5 round title fight…. Is cool as hell… Very impressed, and cant wait to c it.

Props To Couture and Gonzaga…. Very impressive show of class. Thats what sepperates what the UFC is really all about, from the vision that narrow minded old heads have about the viciousness of the sport. Fighters keep showing your class, sportsmanship, and honor…. and this sport will have no choice but to go mainstream![/quote]

I agree completely. It seems like a breath of fresh air to have a couple of respectful and classy fighters sitting down for a dual interview together only weeks before they’re scheduled to fight each other. I get so tired of all the “bad blood” hype and propaganda that gets pushed for so many of the fights these days (making the UFC seem more and more like the WWE every day). It’s good to see that respect and sportsmanship are still alive and well in our sad and desensitized society.

 
Comment by KOOLGUY
2007-08-04 15:41:05

[quote post="2930"]How much bigger is gonzaga than couture? Jesus[/quote]

randy is 6′1 and GG is 6′2

GG looks so much bigger than that….lol

 
Comment by pr0cs
2007-08-04 17:47:19

You people are nuts, at least Gonzaga is TRYING to learn english, you try and learn another language by throwing yourself in a totally different culture and then go on their national TV.
Gonzaga is at least trying, unlike Silva et al who chose to ignore english, Gonzaga’s english is pretty rough but he’s improving and at least trying to become a more marketable fighter. Guys who prefer to use translators 100% of the time will never be marketable.

anyway, this is gonna be an awesome fight.

 
Comment by Gord
2007-08-04 19:49:32

[quote post="2930"]You people are nuts, at least Gonzaga is TRYING to learn english, you try and learn another language by throwing yourself in a totally different culture and then go on their national TV.
Gonzaga is at least trying, unlike Silva et al who chose to ignore english, Gonzaga’s english is pretty rough but he’s improving and at least trying to become a more marketable fighter. Guys who prefer to use translators 100% of the time will never be marketable.
anyway, this is gonna be an awesome fight. [/quote]
I agree, Silva should try to learn English, It’s been a while now and he still uses a translator.

 
Comment by Theman
2007-08-04 20:01:17

I agree, at least he’s making an effort to assimilate since he’s living here now. Good for him. Should be a war, I’m a Randy Couture FANANTIC though so my heart is definitely with him.

 
Comment by D Dogg
2007-08-04 20:54:41

I thought Gonzaga did a good job trying and came off like a nice guy, in spite of the obvious fact he has limited English abilities. Leave him alone.

Randy should be the voice of UFC, not Dana White. Randy did a great job covering for Gonzaga’s language limits. That alone was classy. Some jerk fighters would have used it to their advantage and made him look dumb. Not Randy.

 
Comment by just1fix
2007-08-04 23:09:58

Skilled and exciting fighting is the only language I require my champs to know how to speak. I’d rather Silva spent that extra hour or two a day working on his takedown defense and perfecting his Muay Thai than learning how to speak English. Silva is the most exciting fighter to step into the Octagon since GSP. I wouldn’t give a sh1t if he spoke Klingon.

 
Comment by Steamboat
2007-08-04 23:42:48

That ESPN comentator is a dope. I thought they assigned him to the Rampage interview because Rampage is a crazy brotha and the producers wanted someone they percieved could conduct a good interview. Hoewever, looks like he gets the majority of the UFC interviews. Maybe he’s just the Hot List host and that’s that. Whatever the case, a) he generally sucks and b) he knows absolutely zero about MMA. Very frustating. At least it wasn’t Stuart Scott giving the interiew.

 
Comment by Abhi
2007-08-05 16:14:26

Out of all the MMA interviews I’ve seen on ESPN, the ones with Jim Rome have been the best in my opinion. The others are just flat out moronic, clueless and just plain suck.

 
Comment by Stafo
2007-08-05 16:17:04

Alot of respect between these two. This will be a great fight

 
Comment by BustYourFace
2007-08-06 08:50:10

[quote comment="119240"][quote post="2930"]You people are nuts, at least Gonzaga is TRYING to learn english, you try and learn another language by throwing yourself in a totally different culture and then go on their national TV.
Gonzaga is at least trying, unlike Silva et al who chose to ignore english, Gonzaga’s english is pretty rough but he’s improving and at least trying to become a more marketable fighter. Guys who prefer to use translators 100% of the time will never be marketable.
anyway, this is gonna be an awesome fight. [/quote]
I agree, Silva should try to learn English, It’s been a while now and he still uses a translator.[/quote]

I think that should be a qualifier for champion.. you must speak english..

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2007-08-06 10:03:53

Man, people need to quit dissing on Gabe’s English. I don’t know how long ago he moved to the states, but I’m sure it wasn’t too long ago. I give him tons of props for doing his interviews without a translator. He is trying hard to learn English, unlike a lot of other fighters that don’t even try at all. I actually think that his English is coming along just fine. I can understand Gabe’s English better than I can understand Bisping’s English.

 
Comment by Gord
2007-08-06 10:43:28

[quote post="2930"]Skilled and exciting fighting is the only language I require my champs to know how to speak. I’d rather Silva spent that extra hour or two a day working on his takedown defense and perfecting his Muay Thai than learning how to speak English. Silva is the most exciting fighter to step into the Octagon since GSP. I wouldn’t give a sh1t if he spoke Klingon. [/quote]
Why would he have to sacrifice his training time? I’m sure he’s not in the gym 24 hours a day. GSP, AA and many others took the time to learn English and so should Silva ,then he could be a people’s champion. Imagine if everyone had translators, the interviews would take twice as long and we would be down to seeing only 4 fights per PPV.

 
Comment by D Dogg
2007-08-06 11:01:18

Gord, the world doesn’t revolve around America.

 
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