UFC 115 Liddell Vs. Franklin Press Conference Coverage

[thebwit]

Original Article

This Friday, Fight Card Entertainment presents “Mayhem” at the Pyramid Club in Addison, Illinois. This is an all amateur cage fighting event, and MMA Recap’s Adam Dicker caught up with Danny Babolcsay who will be making his mixed martial arts debut for the card.

What got you get into fighting?
One day back in high school, I was watching and said to myself, "I think I’d be good at that…" and since it was the first thing I’ve ever had an interest in doing as a career, I jumped on it and took the chance.

How long have you been training MMA?
I've been training in MMA for about 2 and a half years now.

This is your first amateur fight, what are your thoughts going into it?
Haha...that's a very open ended question... we could be here all night, but there’s one thing that goes through my head more than anything after all this waiting, and weight cutting...I’m ready to do this and get it over with.

What would you say is your strongest part of your game?
My mentality.....I’m ok skilled since I’m still learning and have a whole world of learning more, both standing up and ground....but why I mainly do this is because I am one of the most relaxed yet aggressive people you’ll ever meet. I try to be a nice respectable guy, but I don’t hesitate to fight and I tolerate pain a LOT better than most.


What is your fighting style?


Although I prefer to box or just brawl, I took up Muay Thai because kicks, knees and elbows are VERY important in MMA...they are really helpful with throwing someone off, setting something up, and when mastered they yield devastating power.

Where are you training out of?
Well...I’ve been to 3 different schools, and trained and been helped by even more...but at the moment I’m not fighting out of any particular gym/school, I’ve just been working with the same coaches that I know have my best interest.


How often do you train?
As often as possible! If I’m not busy and someone asks to train or go over something, I’ll almost never decline. That's why I want to fight so badly, because MMA is the greatest sport in the world.


Do you know who your opponent is?
Yes, yes I do =).


Do you have any information on him?
I have what I need to know from a few sources, and I believe I’m well prepared for anything thrown at me. He seems like a respectable guy, so no trash talking here haha.


Who is your favorite fighter?
Matt Hughes. He’s just a badass.

When you aren't training, what do you like to do?
Well, a lot of things catch my interest. Been playing bass guitar for 4 years now, I like video games just like the next person, I enjoy photography, and I like going to the clubs and having a good time.


Anyone you want to thank?
Absolutely! I’d like to thank GOD for this wonderful opportunity. Thank my coaches and everyone willing to show me so much and be as helpful as they were. Thank my friends for supporting me and routing me on. Thank my family for putting up with me while I prepare for this fight and being so helpful and supportive. And of course I thank everyone who likes the sport or trains in the sport, because if people didn't like it so much, it wouldn't be so accessible.....and I’m sure glad it is =).

[JohnPetit]

Original Article

The UFC 115 pre-fight press conference was held today at the General Motors Place in Vancouver British Columbia. Dana White, Chuck Liddell, Rich Franklin, Mirko Crocop and Pat Barry were all welcomed with open arms and introduced by the Mayor of VancouverGregor Robertson.



Robertson said “It took us along time to get this together, and so far I am pleased with the outcome.” He continued "The UFC's staff, mainly VP Mark Ratner, have been nothing but absolute professionals in putting this together. We have put on many sporting events, and they have been a class act all the way. We are looking to work more with the UFC in the future, and we are definitely interested in doing many more events here with them. We will do what we can to bring these events across Canada as well.”



Most of the talk was about the process it took for UFC to even take place in Vancouver. Vancouver had a ban on MMA as whole, and it took a lot of work to push through a 2 year lift on that ban. The Operational Manager of the process in Vancouver is Harvey Jones. He stated “We want the UFC to be a success here, and we wanted to make sure they were well supported when it got here.” Since there was a ban on MMA, Vancouver obviously doesn't have commission like the other markets, but this didn't bother the UFC, or Jones. “They have demonstrated this product over the world, and working together we were able to get this done.”



According to Dana it was a requirement to pay much more in insurance then other places they hold events. “I'm not going to say how much, but it was a lot more. But we are willing to pay it. We are willing to do what is required to get out foot in the door in these markets. Once we are in, we know we will deliver, and we know over time we will ease everyones concerns. We are willing to pay the price.” A reporter called the Mayor out asking if he would state how much was asked, but he would not get give up the number either. Dana continued “its not so much that we will not make any money.”





Dana was asked about how vocal he was about saying Chuck should retire, and what changed his mind. “Chuck wasn't living the right lifestyle. He did what he needed to do in camp to get ready for his fights but he wasn't living the life of a pro athelete.” Chuck responded “The off season was the off season for me. Between fights I did what I wanted. The time off made me miss it, even “Dancing With The Stars” made me think about how much I like and miss training.” Chuck continued “I trained through out this season for TUF, and that means for the first time in a long time I came into camp completely in shape.”



Rich Franklin is not writing off Chuck. He obviously isn't buying the Chuck Liddell is washed up theory. “People have been watching Chuck knock out people for a long time. They don't realize how well rounded he is.” He went on to say “I have to prepare for everything, and I am prepared for everything.”



Some humor entered the equation with Pat Barry and Crocop. Barry has said over and over that he idolizes Crocop, and he even wanted his autograph. “Im not sure when the right time is to ask for his autograph, but yes I do want it. All of the high light reels I watched of his, I still can't believe I'm even sitting here at this table talking about fighting him.” He went on “All of the hardships seem worth it, and all the Halloweens where i pretended to be a ninja, all the video games of “Streetfighter” I played, in the hopes of one day being in a position like this. It really is a dream come true....And if I win, I may just stare out the window for two years thinking about how I beat someone like Mirko Crocop. And if I lose, I know I was one of the few people who had the honor to get into the cage and fight such a legendary fighter like him.”



Mirko was in true fight hyping mode, and when he was asked if he would give Barry his autograph he said he would. “I would like to give Pat two autographs. One now, and one during the fight” obviously implying he wanted to leave some marks on Barry when he was done. You could tell it was all in good fun, but Crocop went on to say “He said if he beats me, he will stare out window alone for two years thinking about it. Well, if he loses he may have to stare out window for two years as well, but he will have a nurse by his side.” This even got a laugh out of Pat Barry. Mirko continued “I met Pat yesterday, and he is a very good person, and a nice person, but on fight night its all business.”



An astute Ariel Helwani from MMA Fanhouse noticed what looked to be a cut healing on Crocops forehead. A cut that wasn't there yesterday during open workouts. Mirko did not want to talk about it and just said “Its a sensitive issue.” He tried to laugh it off and said “I had some ladies in my hotel room, and one of them scratched me. I am Ok, but they are not.” This also got a laugh out of the crowd.





UFC 115 Liddell Vs. Franklin will be taking place Saturday June 12, at the General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, and can be seen world wide on Pay Per-View.