Prior to the major news about the resignation of UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture yesterday there was a conference call to promote the sold-out UFC 77: “Hostile Territory” event in Cincinnati, Ohio, that takes place next weekend on October 20 at the U.S. Bank Arena.
UFC President Dana White, UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin, former heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia and Brandon Vera all participated on the call.
“Mr. Sunshine” sent us over a very cool post that includes edited audio snips/highlights from the actual call. It gives our readers a pretty cool inside-look on what goes on behind the scenes prior to a major pay-per-view (PPV) event.
Dana White:
- The middleweight fight between Yushin Okami and Jason MacDonald is not for a number one contender slot in the division. UFC president Dana White mentioned that there were “a lot of guys in the mix” for a title shot and that is is still possible that Dan Henderson will compete at 185 pounds.
- Tim Sylvia, Brandon Vera and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, according to White, are among the top fighters in the division and all three will more than likely be considered for a title shot with wins in their next bouts.
Tim Sylvia:
- Sylvia is feeling great — back surgery went awesome and his pain is all gone. Someone is “going to sleep” during his bout with “The Truth.”
- Sylvia believes that Vera’s lack of activity in the last year will not come into play in the fight. Both will come to bang. His stand up is good and he’s got a lot of good assets. He’s ready for a tough fight.
- Win or lose Sylvia wants to fight again in early 2008.
Brandon Vera:
- Being married to another fighter is “pretty cool.” His life is much easier at home. Hardest part is watching her get in the ring.
- His layoff sucked. But he has been training and keeping himself motivated. Took a trip over to Thailand. He now pays more attention to details inside and outside of the cage.
- Sylvia’s size causes a big problem. Timing and range is much different. Something he has trained for with other big guys. It’s the smallest heavyweight in the division against the biggest.
- He’s prepared well and is ready to see what happens.
Anderson Silva:
- Silva is more experienced than the first time he fought Franklin last year. Doesn’t feel he’s any better — just more experienced.
- Once the Octagon door closes it won’t matter where the fight takes place. He is not intimidated about it happening in Cincinnati. Fans can expect a phenomenal fight. Both fighters are going to leave it all in the Octagon.
- He has not underestimated Franklin. Silva has trained really hard and he is motivated to put on a good show for the fans. He owes it to the fans and the UFC to put on a good fight.
- Silva doesn’t feel that the UFC wants Franklin to be champion. This is an important bout for both fighters. It’s going to be the fight of the night if not the year.
Rich Franklin:
- Does not have his trademark black eye … yet. However, his lip did get “busted open” during training.
- His training has changed quite a bit. To get away from the media circus in Cincinnati he has moved his entire camp into the mountains of Wyoming. Refreshing to get out of the city and there is nothing to do but train in Wyoming.
- Training four to five hours per day.
- Anderson is number one in the weightclass and he wants to fight the best guys. He wants to perform well and set things straight in his own mind.
- He realizes now that in the initial fight he didn’t put enough time in to study Silva. This time there was a lot of emphasis on breaking down film.
- Anderson showed resilience on the ground against Travis Lutter. He’s very versatile. Showed great poise in win over Nate Marquardt.
- Had a really sore nose after loss to Silva.
- Unsure whether or not training in high altitude will help him during the fight because it is the first time he has really tried it.
Remember you can listen to all of this audio right here.
In addition, UFCmania.com will have LIVE online blow-by-blow coverage of the event next Saturday. To check out the complete UFC 77 fight card click here.
31 Comments »
1
Rich Franklin is going to need more than just 4 or 5 hours training a day. He needs about 6-7 hours training a day, because Anderson Silva is going to come in and push the pace. Rich better have great cardio, and better worked on clinch tactics.
WAR FRANKLIN!
Weird on mmajunkie.com they lead with Macdonald vs. Okami could be a #1 contender bout…. who was listening right? Anyway who cares, I am so upset about Couture I’m not buying ppv’s for a while, and I hope other fans will follow suit. See it at your local pub instead.
i expect to see Silva win this one. I would love to see Rich win to add some excitement to the division. I just have obvious doubts from the results of their firdt encounter.
Im looking foward to this event. Im still trying to get over the whole Randy Couture thing. This event cant come soon enough for me. I like Brandon Vera in his fight. I went with Anderson last time he fought Rich and Im stickin with him. Should be a great show.
[quote comment=”175289″]Weird on mmajunkie.com they lead with Macdonald vs. Okami could be a #1 contender bout…. who was listening right? Anyway who cares, I am so upset about Couture I’m not buying ppv’s for a while, and I hope other fans will follow suit. See it at your local pub instead.[/quote]
Listen to Dana’s response in the link for yourself. He says nothing even remotely close that it is imminent. In fact, sounds like he wants Hendo to fight for the title next.
I got Silva and the Truth in UFC 77
This sounds like a really good PPV. In my mind a sign of a good PPV is whether once it has finished questions have been answered.
If Brandon Vera wins (especially in dominating fashion) that will show he is really a threat in the HW division and an even greater potential threat to the LHW division (should he ever drop down).
If Silva wins over Franklin it sets the scene for Henderson which would be an absolute clash of the titans, if Henderson drops down.
If Franklin wins it shows he has come back from a devestating loss and is better than ever. Also it would set up the perfect conditions for the MW TUF series if Henderson agrees to be a coach, which is why I think the UFC would prefer Ace to win.
I don’t know what Sylvia winning proves (since most people consider Vera untested). I guess that he is back to fighting form but personally I want to see him fight Big Nog. Since he said that stuff about Fedor I’ve wanted to see him go against one of the Pride HW big boys.
[quote post=”3573″]I got Silva and the Truth in UFC 77 [/quote]
I’m right with you Phil.
I just can’t see Rich defeating Silva.
I think Vera is going to come out with fire in his eyes, looking to impress, and trying to finish the fight from the moment the fight starts. On the other hand, I see Timmy being, well the same ol’ sluggish Timmy.
[quote comment=”175297″][quote comment=”175289″]Weird on mmajunkie.com they lead with Macdonald vs. Okami could be a #1 contender bout…. who was listening right? Anyway who cares, I am so upset about Couture I’m not buying ppv’s for a while, and I hope other fans will follow suit. See it at your local pub instead.[/quote]
Listen to Dana’s response in the link for yourself. He says nothing even remotely close that it is imminent. In fact, sounds like he wants Hendo to fight for the title next.[/quote]
Thanks, appreciate the clairification…. can’t lesten to audio the internet police at my work block it! Bastards… I thought you would be the more accurate source, and it seems like Dana is pushing hard for another unification bout with Dan. As much as I’m a big Jason Macdonald fan I would certainly want to see Hendo fight Silva. (I’m all over the Silva bandwagon, and I firmly beleive Franklin can’t beat him)
Vera must have the easiest rise to being a contender coming from a layoff ever …
Dana sucks.
I don’t think I would call fighting a former champion who presents all sorts of problems with his physical enormity, not to mention his power, an easy rise.
hahaha, that might be the quote of the year by rich franklin that he had a really sore nose after their first fight, thats priceless…
mania, is the previous picking up the pieces post having problems. none of my post are showing.
nevermind. i guess it got hit all at once w/ alot of big posts.
[quote post=”3573″]Vera must have the easiest rise to being a contender coming from a layoff ever …[/quote]
But we must remember that prior to his problems with his manager, he was actually next in line for a title shot. It was Brandon Vera, not Randy Couture that was scheduled to fight Tim Sylvia for the title. But because of Vera’s management issues, Dana called Randy and asked if he’d take the fight.
I hope Vera can take this. He is one of the most versatile and skilful heavyweights out there but Tims size is going to cause him major problems,and with Tims back sorted as well he is going to be a handfull. Tim has strength and size all the skill and speed is with Vera, but he will need to get in close to be effective which with Tims power is going to be very dangerous. Vera by submission or descision. Should be a good one.
[quote comment=”175283″]Rich Franklin is going to need more than just 4 or 5 hours training a day. He needs about 6-7 hours training a day, because Anderson Silva is going to come in and push the pace. Rich better have great cardio, and better worked on clinch tactics.
WAR FRANKLIN![/quote]
Train six or seven hours a day? I don’t think anyone can do that, even if you split it up into 3 or 4 seperate work outs.
Franklin doesn’t need strength, he needs skill, somewhere he’s gotta find a strength that he’s better at than Anderson or else.
I suggest a flying heal hook, but that probably only works 1 time, ever.
what do you mean okami vs mcdonald isn’t number one contender hendo already said he isn’t fighting in middleweight who else do you have?? or are u gonna sign a big name middleweight?? don’t make the same mistake as in silva vs lidell in anaheim did i say that?? i meant fedor vs randy in feb, u guys sure are going down hill
[quote post=”3573″]Train six or seven hours a day? I don’t think anyone can do that, even if you split it up into 3 or 4 seperate work outs.[/quote]
Sure you can, just ask Sean “Roid Shark” Sherk!
Does anyone know whoe Vera’s wife is???//
Hey Mania, what is Vera’s wife’s name?
kerry vera
“He realizes now that in the initial fight he didn’t put enough time in to study Silva. This time there was a lot of emphasis on breaking down film.”
Ok I’m going to go with Rich based on that above quote, ‘unless he’s an idiot’ and stands toe to toe with Silva, I’ll just shake my head and watch him go down with the rest of you.
I’m betting on Rich ‘not being an idiot’ and taking this fight to the ground rather than stand and clinch for a GnP win by decision over Silva.
Vera over Sylvia, simple as that.
Yushin Okami and Jason MacDonald… I don’t really care who wins, just make it good.
I think Rich is gonna put up a good fight, but I think Silva knocks him out or taps him eventually. Silva by 4th round KO/sub.
[quote comment=”176347″]I think Rich is gonna put up a good fight, but I think Silva knocks him out or taps him eventually. Silva by 4th round KO/sub.[/quote]
I can’t see Silva making him tap unless Silva hits a lighting quick triangle on him… Don’t fergit’ Rich does have some mad jujitsu skills.
Rich is just gonna get pounded on, that’s a bummer, cuz I like him a little better. I like Anderson to, but man I can’t see Rich doing ANYTHING.
[quote comment=”175697″]Does anyone know whoe Vera’s wife is???//[/quote]
his wife is kerry vera. she has made herself a somewhat celebrity thru the fight girls show! she trained with master toddy on a reality show and went to thailand and took the muay thai title in her respective weight class. if anyone know master toddy and how he produces champions…this will be some interesting knews to you tito ortiz, wanderlei, forrest griffin and gina carano all train there now. hmm tito ortiz is finally taking the steps to change his boring ground and pound!
If Franklin wins it shows he has come back from a devestating loss and is better than ever. Also it would set up the perfect conditions for the MW TUF series if Henderson agrees to be a coach, which is why I think the UFC would prefer Ace to win. if rich wins will this happen ??
Typical Tim Sylvia fight. BORING