EVENT: Boss Fight #1 Press Conference
VENUE: Art Theater of Long Beach
LOCATION: Long Beach, California
DATE: Friday October 5, 2018 @ 7:00 PM PT
[The stage is set inside the elegantly laid out Art Theater of Long Beach. Flash photography strobes sporadically and a dull rumble of conversation fill the atmosphere while fighters that are scheduled for Union GP’s Boss Fight #1 are sitting on the main stage awaiting for the official press conference to begin. Once the crowd filled with fans and media reporters has settled in with the last few stragglers taking their reserved seats, UGP President Dante Reed takes to the center podium to begin.]
DANTE REED Thank you all for joining us this evening here for the official press conference of the very first Boss Fight event. Before we officially begin, I'd like to run over the card for Boss Fight #1. For starters, our opening bout features two new signings in the Light Heavyweight Division. "The Natural" Edan McLeod takes on "The Technical Wizard" Sang-Hyun Lee. Both of these guys are looking to make a name for themselves quick as their late signing have left them out of the Round Robin series to determine the first Light Heavyweight Champion. McLeod has a boxing and BJJ background while Lee is disciplined in Hapkido. Two clashing styles that is sure to fire up the crowd early in the night.
Next we have Hailey McIntyre, someone who is looking to rebound after a disheartening loss at UGP #1, taking on newcomer Amedea Rao. We all know McIntyre is a submission artist and Rao specializes in wrestling and Muy Thai. I'm excited to see what both of these women can do in the cage.
After that, we have our first of two Light Heavyweight Championship Round Robin matches. Kira Izumi and Aeron Roberts will go toe-to-toe searching for their first win. This one is do-or-die time for both of these fighters, so I think they both will dig deep and put on a hellua fight.
Then our Headline Fight, the second Light Heavyweight Championship Round Robin bout. Simon Bishop and Jeremiah Ford both sit at 1-0 in this series, so I am confident that these guys will be doing whatever it takes to push through and move to 2-0.
And finally, our Main Event of the evening... Kaelan Laughlin versus Xabier Belazco. These two fighters went to war at UGP #1, however they both came up short. Belazco's match went to a decision, while Laughlin got caught with a kneebar with just ten seconds left in the fight. I know these two are focusing on the present and future, and not concerning their past blemishes. I decided to make this the main event bout for Boss Fight #1, because I feel like they embody what this show is suppose to be about. It's for those looking to climb the ranks; to do whatever it takes to get their name out there in the MMA world and prove that they belong. I cannot wait to see this one.
So with that, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to turn it over to the reporters for any questions. Thank you!
[Reed hangs back at the the podium while panning across the audience, looking out at the sea of reporters eager to be called upon.]
[The floor was given to the fighters to speak, a reporter looking to ask the first question of the night.His direction is focused on new fighter Edan McLeod, a member of the fight camp The Factory. He's dressed for the part, sporting a pair of amber and gold aviator shades, black studs in his ears, and he's sporting a black vest and pants on a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing a nice golden watch and amber tie to bring the outfit together nicely. Gotta dress the part for a fight such as this and all. The reporter has Edan's attention as he turns.]
BLOODY ELBOWS | MARCUS RUBIN:
Marcus Rubin with BloodyElbows dot com. This first one is for Edan over here. [Edan expression looks calm as he sits in front of the microphone with his arms folded on top of the table.] BLOODY ELBOWS | MARCUS RUBIN:
You've been an active fighter for a few years now. You've had mixed results in Caged Glory FC. Some would say that it was because of injuries not healing on time for fights and you not wanting to take time off. Some say you took a break to help out in Boca Raton with your fight camp The Factory. Is it a mixed bag? EDAN MCLEOD: Bit ay a jobby way ay beginnin' mah professional career. Ah hud a naggin' hip injury fur awhile 'at hindered mah motion. Sae Ah was basically fightin' oan a body leg. Was shitty nae bein' able tae gie mah aw. Gart it seem Ah was an easy barnie when they booked me. But noo, aam healthy, Ah feel guid an' Ah want tae compete sae Ah signed haur hopin' tae shaw fowk whit aam gart ay an' represent mah team. BLOODY ELBOWS | MARCUS RUBIN:
It seems The Factory is trying to push out more fighters. Did your team decide that you should broaden your horizons so to speak when you came to UGP? EDAN MCLEOD:
They pointed me tae whaur th' action was an' Ah went. Aam nae intae sittin' oan mah crease aw day. CGFC showed me some love, but aam haur fur th' fights. Simple. [The reporter sits and another pops up.] FIGHTLAND | JOSHUA SETTLE: Joshua Settle with Fightland dot com. This match up with Sang-Hyun Lee, the gameplan for him is to take you down and work for the submission. Going into your camp, what did you emphasize to be prepared for a Jiu-Jitsu match? EDAN MCLEOD:
I've got a black-belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu. Sae aam prepared tae roll aroond oan th' canvas wi' heem. Let's jist hiner he doesnae gang fishin' fur 'at tay mony times ur aam gonna be poondin' his coopon when we dae stain.
FIGHTLAND | JOSHUA SETTLE: So you think he's not that well equipped to deal with you standing?
[Edan shakes his head, then shrugs a bit. He already knew the answer.]
EDAN MCLEOD: Confident he doesnae want onie part ay it. I've bin boxin' ever since Ah was a bairn. Ah got ower 200 amateur boxin' fights underneath me. sae, aam hopin' he diz tak' it tae th' grin coz ance Ah wear heem it strikin', aam gonna try an' submit heem. Marcello de pablo is th' best brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner ever. He'll hae me prepped, he'll hae me ready, an' aam walkin' it ay Lang Beach wi' th' win. That's aw thaur is tae it, ye ken? Cannae be gonnae aroond losin' when Ah want tae impress these braw folks fa gae me a contract tae sign. Gonna gang intae 'at match, dae mah business, an' mr. lee can tak' a braw lang nap oan th' canvas fluir.
[The reporter thanks Edan who nods and sits there for a moment as his eyes roam around in space, focusing more on the other fighters who will speak momentarily.]