UGP #2 Press Conference

[After a long press conference, Viktor Volkov is leant back in his seat, apathetic to the goings on around him as his translator whispers in his ear every now and then as he somewhat follows along. It’s a good chance for the Russian to improve his English, and over the past few years, surrounding himself with native Russian speakers for the most part, the former Olympic boxer has let his English deteriorate. Eventually the reporters attentions turn to the big man, and he does his best to appear interested, leaning forward slightly in his chair, his elbows resting on the table as he reaches for the microphone.]

BLOODY ELBOW | JOHN BUTCHER

Hi Vik, John Butcher from Bloody Elbow. Everyone of course is more than aware of your boxing prowess, a former Olympic boxer, almost medalling in 2012. How do you think you stylistically match up against Nathan Lucas, who many have said is the worst possible matchup for you?

[Volkov takes a moment, nodding as he listens to his translator, who is helping him understand the question in more detail before the Last Tsar leaning down to his microphone.]

VIKTOR VOLKOV

Thank you for this question. Yes, I am was Olympic boxer, I have, uh, done good for this. Of course. But wrestler for me is no problem, do not worry about this. Everybody talk about boxing because I am excellent, world class - but nobody talk about ground game. Sambo effective. Nobody really know what I can do on ground. If uh, the fight go to the ground, do not worry for me I will show you. You gonna see.

[He nods, seemingly satisfied with his own answer as another reporter takes to the microphone.]

MMAFIGHTING | LAWRENCE WRIGHT

Viktor, to touch on your combat sports history further, whilst a professional wrestler in Hard Knox Wrestling you began your career there predominantly fighting in the Lionheart division, at the time being a heavily MMA influenced part of the company. Do you think your time there helped you at all in preparation for this bout?

[A few seconds pass once more, and after a whisper from his translator, answers the question.]

VIKTOR VOLKOV

It was ok for me to experience this. It was very like mixed martial arts. But the level of competition is not like here, ok? This is high competition now, I am know this. I do not expect for dominate like I do, when I step into cage, is gonna be a war. Is gonna be bloody and is gonna be tough fight. That is why I am here. I want this challenge. Maybe you can say it help me, yes, but this was long time ago. Four year. Now it is different. I am ready to fight.

[The reporter sits down, having had his question answered, and seemingly not taking any more questions, Volkov begins to speak again.]

VIKTOR VOLKOV

Trust me, is gonna be good fight. I am not this person to make disrespect or to say bad thing about someone to make you interest. I am already great fighter. Lucas is good fighter too do not worry for this, but I am show him I am better on Saturday night. Just watch.

A man stands up wearing pressure credentials around his neck showing her was from local newspaper, The Houston Chronicle.

Reporter: Adam Coleman with the Houston Chronicle. My question is for Jordan Parker-Kane

Jordan sits up pays more attention to what's going on.

JPK: Yes sir, go ahead.

Coleman: How does it feel to fight in your hometown? Do you feel any extra pressure with having to fight in front of the city you represent?

JPK: Certainly, there is a level of pressure to make sure I do a good job tomorrow night. I've wrestled here before, but this will be my first fight here. Like anyone up here I put my all into every fight, but doing it in front of my neighbors or friends I went to school with… Yeah… That's definitely something that would drive or push me to me just a little more.

Coleman: We haven't heard much from you leading up to this fight. Some might say your distracted, don't care, or stretched a little thin. Thoughts?

Jordan stops to think about his answer.

JPK: First I think we need to get past the thought that not tweeting about something means you don't care. Every day I'm not traveling, I am in the gym grinding and training. To say I don't care or I'm in uninterested is just crap. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't.

He takes a sip of water.

JPK: Now, far as my schedule and the thing that I do outside of Union GP.

He shrugs.

JPK: It's a valid concern for one to have. Usually, I have things more spaced out. The last few weeks have unfortunately kinda all happened at once. Not gonna lie that hasn't made life easy, but that's the risk you take when you do MMA and wrestling. It's something I am going to look at and be more careful with how things are booked or even if it is worth doing as much as I am. When certain contracts run up, they may not be resigned. Those are bridges I'll cross when the time comes.

Jordan sits back, but come right back.

JPK: Though it's worth noting there are two people in the cruiserweight division who have FAR busier schedules than I do, but they don't really get many people questioning their dedication or if they put in enough time training. Before you try and twist this I'm not taking a shot at anyone. If they can pull it off, then good on them. I'm not even upset or annoyed that Lauren questioned it. I get it, but rest assured when the time comes I'll be ready… Every time.

Erin Sandoval, with Sherdog, stand again to ask a question.

Erin: As Lauren mentioned you had trouble with Megan Treamon in CGFC. She doesn't have the reputation as the greatest fighter. How do you suppose you'll fare against a more polished fighter?

JPK: Say what you will about Megan and how she trains, but she is a champion in one of the best MMA organizations in the world. So she's doing something right. Is she the most orthodoxed? No, but she has proven when push comes to shove she can do what she has to do. Did I make some mistakes in that fight? Yeah, I did, but you can rest assured it's a mistake that won't happen again. Same goes for this fight. If a mistake is made and it cost me, I'll learn and grow from it.

Erin: Tonight is the first time you have been around Daniel Fisk and many members of the new Real Killas. Gym since Fisk came to Houston and had that fight. How are you feeling?

Jordan looks around and laughs a bit.

JPK: I'll be happy when this is no longer a question that's asked. It is what it is. I don't waste time worrying about them. Lauren is my opponent so I have trained for her, but the rest.

He shrugs.

JPK: They aren't important to me. I respect their talents and if for my reason I have to stand across the cage with a member of RK, I'll worry about that person. Other than that, I don't care. I have other things in my life that are more important than scanning twitter to see what they are doing or saying about me.

Jordan leans back to waits for the conference to close.

[The antics of the press conference to this point--particularly, Sidney Grey’s antics--don’t seem to sit well with the fighter colloquially known as “L-Mo;” despite not intending to make it so obvious, Lauren couldn’t help but roll her eyes once the interview descended into shouting threats at the press, heaving out a little sigh, even as Daniel Fisk reacts in...well, a much more exaggerated way than Lauren herself ever would. She similarly struggles to suppress a giggle, but otherwise leaves the Real Killas leader to do his thing, lacing her fingers together and patiently waiting her turn. Eventually, a reporter does get up and turn to face her, which catches the LA native’s attention.]

Reporter 1

Lauren, Tom Morgan with FIGHT! Magazine, I want to start...where I think most of your teammates probably expect to start, the formation of the Real Killas...

[“L-Mo” couldn’t help but smirk a little bit; it was no small topic of conversation, the very public split from Slaughterhouse, and for Lauren herself, she’d only been part of the team for a little more than a month before the split happened. She tries not to interrupt any more than that little smirk, though, and just lets Tom keep going.]

Tom Morgan

You made the transition from being a pure wrestler into MMA, and it seemed like you came out of nowhere to join up with what was then Slaughterhouse LA...what made you make that decision, first off?

Lauren Moore

I mean...I’d be lying if I said the Slaughterhouse name wasn’t a big driving force; everyone, from the most casual MMA fans to the diehards, know the cream of the crop from Slaughterhouse. James Shark, Cass Madrigal, Jason Jackson, Daniel Fisk himself...you could keep rattling off names that went through MLC or CGFC, training at a Slaughterhouse gym. So, y’know, it may not have been the factor, but it was definitely a factor--especially when you find a gym being led by one of the best in the world--and no, bossman, I’m not just saying that cuz you’re sitting here...

[Lauren flashes a grin to Daniel Fisk, chuckling to herself just a bit before turning back to the reporter.]

Lauren Moore

But, for me? It’s not about the name, it’s not about the logo or whatever, it’s about the attitude of the people that train there. I walked in the first time, and everyone in that gym welcomed me. They pushed me...harder than I’ve been pushed by anyone else in my time training, but there was nobody sitting there looking at the new girl or whatever; I was just another fighter, trying to make her mark. And that’s the thing--this is a group of people that are all about the fight, all about getting better, all the time. So, like...you could call us Slaughterhouse, Killas, you could call us fairy princess bubblegum raindrops--although we’d prefer it if you didn’t. Whatever you want to call us, it doesn’t change the fact that everybody in that gym is there for a reason--we want to make each other better, we want to be the best.

Tom Morgan

You have an interesting part to play in the story behind the split, as well--you were at Slaughterhouse Houston when the tension started brewing, right?

[Lauren tilts her head a little, sighing at the attempt to push the drama a little further.]

Lauren Moore

I went there to help train one of their fighters; he needed a wrestling coach, I volunteered to help him prepare, yeah.

Tom Morgan

Would you say you had a decent relationship with the group?

Lauren Moore

I think you’re overselling what a couple weeks of training is; everyone there was fine, but I was a guest, and never anything more than that.

Tom Morgan

One last question, then--that split happened in no small part thanks to your opponent this weekend, Jordan Parker-Kane; has that been a motivating factor for you, going in?

[Lauren actually has to take a second to think about the question, momentarily clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. It was no big secret that most of her gym, particularly Gizmo, were frothing at the mouth at the possibility of “L-Mo” getting a measure of revenge for the gym, but the former freestyle wrestler just shrugs her shoulders.]

Lauren Moore

Listen, what happened, happened. I try not to live in the past, I don’t really like holding grudges like that; I like to think of things a little differently, I like to see opportunities where other people see problems. So we split from Slaughterhouse, formed the Killas--being completely honest about it, I think it might’ve been the best thing to happen to us. We all got closer, we became more than just a team. Me, D, and Donnie, sure we’re flying the Killas flag walking down that ramp, but let’s be very honest, the goal here isn’t to make some point that we’re better off without the Slaughterhouse logo on the door. Donnie’s here to make a push toward the Heavyweight title, D’s here to make a push toward that Light-Heavyweight title, and I’m here to drive through this tournament and become the Cruiserweight Champion. That’s the goal. Everything else is secondary; if my boy Gizmo, or if D, or if anyone in that gym and on our team gets some satisfaction out of this fight, cool...but “revenge” or whatever? That’s not something I’m worried about.

[Tom finally sits down, and for a second, Lauren adjusts her seat, scooting a little bit closer to the table. As she does, a tall blonde woman steps up to replace the departing Tom at the podium.]

Reporter 2

Erin Sandoval, with Sherdog, I’m curious, first, if you had any trepidation, being one of only a couple women taking a fight with a man in Union thus far?

[Lauren’s reaction is just to shrug a little bit, the question bouncing off the LA native.]

Lauren Moore

I grew up fighting guys. There were no girls into wrestling when I was a kid, there were no girls on my team when I was in high school or in my club when I graduated. Basically my whole martial arts career has been fighting men, so it didn’t even occur to me that I should be worried about it, honestly. I signed up to fight, they gave me a fight, that’s...all I was really worried about.

Erin Sandoval

When the brackets for the tournament were posted, and you saw you drew Jordan, what did you think--not necessarily about the situation between the Real Killas and Slaughterhouse, but knowing you’re going to face someone as active as Jordan’s been recently?

[Lauren glances down the table, toward her first round opponent. She briefly rolls her tongue over her lower lip, then turns back to the audience.]

Lauren Moore

Can I be really honest?

Lauren Moore

I don’t think he can possibly be focused on this fight; I don't mean he's not taking it seriously, but I feel like I see him post on Twitter about some event he did two, three times a week--I know he just fought in CGFC, what, a week? Two weeks ago, maybe? Between that and the pro wrestling shows, I don’t see how he could’ve been focused on me--and I think that’s gonna be the biggest difference between us. I’ve been training for this fight, and only this fight, for the past couple months. I’ve been training how to beat Jordan...since you want to keep talking about it, basically since the split happened, this is all I've thought about. He’s been focused on the CGFC tournament, then on Megan Treamon, then on a pro wrestling championship--and that's great, if you can manage it, more power to you. But while I've been grinding to win this fight for months now, he's only just now got the time to actually try to focus on me.

Erin Sandoval

I take it you watched his recent fights, what did you take away from them?

Lauren Moore

I think he’s shown a lot of promise, flashes of brilliance even...aggressive, he keeps moving forward until you just stop him, if he gets more refined he could be really good. But that’s the thing--if he gets more refined; I think there’s some pretty major holes in his game right now, that play into my hands; he let himself get distracted and taken down by Megan Treamon, who has said herself that she trained for MMA by playing a video game...if he can’t stop her from taking him down, he’s not going to stop me. But I think, more than anything, he’s stretched himself too thin; like I said, I don’t think he can possibly have trained for me enough to be prepared, given everything else it seems like he’s doing, and I think that’s gonna be the biggest thing.

Erin Sandoval

Any thoughts about fighting in his hometown? Any extra pressure, knowing you’re up against the hometown boy?

[Despite doing her best to remain polite, Lauren actively brushes the thought away with a flick of her hand.]

Lauren Moore

I’ve faced people in their hometowns before. It doesn’t really change anything, for me; obviously, the majority of people there will back him, as well they should, but it doesn’t really change my plan or anything; whether he’s getting cheered or booed, whether I’m getting cheered or booed, I think I’ll be able to take him down if and when I want to, I’ll control this fight, I’m not going to fall for the same things that someone who doesn’t train that seriously does, and I’ll do what I have to do to get my hand raised--and, shoutout to my boy Gizmo, I’ll do it all with a smile.

[On cue, Lauren flashes a big grin to Erin, who laughs along with “L-Mo.”]

Erin Sandoval

One last question. Next round, you’ll face either Annie Zellor or Kenzi Grey, and by the time you fight, you’ll know who it is--do you have a preference? Anyone you think you match up better with?

[Lauren doesn’t even entertain the thought, just shrugging a shoulder.]

Lauren Moore

Whoever makes it. I feel confident against anyone in this tournament, it doesn’t matter who it is or what they’re about. But that’s the next round; however confident I feel, I need to focus on the here and now, and the here and now is Jordan Parker-Kane, so I have to do what I have to do to put him away before I can start worrying about Annie or Kenzi, or thinking about the title fight, or anything like that.

[Erin nods, seemingly happy with her answers, and Lauren leans back in her seat, scooting back away from the table to yield the mic to whoever’s next.]

[All anyone is able to hear is a slight chuckle growing over time to laughter.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: Hahaahaahhaahahaaaah...I'm sor--I'm sorr--I'm sorry. Cuh-ahhahaahaahaa.

[He leans back letting out another boisterous laugh. A deep breath later he actually wipes a tear while his chuckles get lighter. Finally while clearing his throat he straightens the collar of his blue Tom Ford suit that was moved due to his laughter.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: Come on really? Nobody found that funny as two drunks fighting over the one bottle? Nobody?

[He looks around to the media of Wortham Theater Center wiping another tear from his eye.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: Those lines were hot. On God, I felt straight out the 80s with Kenzi Moms over there shooting the Hulk Hogan lines. We bout to take our vitamins out this muthafucka. Someone get me my protein shake. Aint nothing better than the montages right?

[He leaves a pause not actually welcoming media reply. He turns toward the Grey collective and his stern faced opponent.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: Yall got the nerve cuh. Kenzi you come up here on bibles saying professional wrestling & MMA two different worlds. Defining that each time you up here. Then we gotta sit back & watch your Moms make this a fuckin circus. You right. This aint professional wrestling and as much as I respect the sport & yall get down I can't have this shit fam. This aint that at all. Who else Moms up here fam? Who else’s manager out here talkin on this stage? You say you want the worlds separate then pull this same failed game like previous wrestlers acting mute & gimmickin the world out. Thinking there's some mystique to it when it's just bad business. Nothing authentic bout it. This aint catchin you as different. It's not interesting. It's cheap. Listen...this gospel shit I'm bout to speak to yall.

[He actually turns toward their direction picking up his chair and turning facing them.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: The media aint here to ask what you thinking dummylilbitch. They aint here to ask you to interpret what Big Mongo over there thinking either. She aint mute you just said that. She aint deaf. What’s the goddamn point of her being here in your white bastardized version of Marshawn then? You know why I’m here looking asses. Even he spoke goddamn. It aint the job, it aint spooky, and shit aint intimidating cuh. These folks out here…

[He points toward the media.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: They got a job to do. Questions for the actual ones going into battle. Questions for the actual person about to step in the cage. You want to make it joke shit that’s on you. Give us a “I must break you” for the one time fuck it but it’s a waste of goddamn time to sit here with old manager bitty spitting her tired ass lines instead of hearing from the person that matters in this situation. Shit thunder & lightning for all I care gon catch all that the moment I hit you anyway. Fuck, yall stay on that other man shit. One of the few fighters I actually respect out here in MMA, Niko Holst. Nigga hates these things with a passion but either he shows up and says his piece or aint for the shit at all so he don’t show. This is fighting. Full blown. You want to play a fake ass Cleo fortune teller do it in those wrestling shows where it belongs. Unless that bitch the Goliath version of Helen Fucking Keller, get your AARP ass off the goddamn stage let your daughter handle her business and let your client handle her business.

[Daniel shakes his head looking at them all collectively before turning forward and looking out into the media who are wanting with questions.]

SRC: .44, Silva Dansbury, Sports Review Contact. I was also present at the Real Killas MMA opening Press Conference…

Daniel Fisk Jr: Yeah I remember you cuh I appreciate the coverage too. What’s crackin?

SRC: The last time we saw you fight, it was in a Cage Glory ring. You’re now here in Union GP. A new promotion, a new environment. Has that had a great effect on your game as you’ve prepared to face Mad Maxine?

[He points toward Lauren Moore and Donnie Calabrese who are near him on the stage.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: They the reason. Them and every other Killa in the gym for me feeling a renewal in MMA. It’s had a great effect. The gym is only an establishment. It’s the people inside of it working, coming together, and family that builds it. My game grows due to the people around me making me work on the days I may not feel it. Those extras you gotta go through to push yourself instead of people watching you struggle you get “You got it Killa.” “Push through, go further.” The new promotion helps of course because I feel we have a chance at something greater. The reasons I left Caged Glory is personal in matter but at the end of the day you have to want to be here. My killas, the family. Each one of them have a hunger for these opportunities. They aren’t sitting by on their previous they look to the future. I need to remember that feeling, that hunger. They renewed that in me. They the reasons I made the decisions I made breaking off becoming this new environment. I never want them to lose that. I don’t want them to change nothing they doing that keeps that need and drive. They fine the way they is. People don’t realize as much as the fight game is a physical battle it’s also that mind too. You gotta have that right long before you walk toward the cage. Every single killa keeps my mind right. Every single killa helps me improve in skill and in mentality. Great effect is an understatement Siv. We ready out here.

[Silva gives a thumbs up thanking Daniel before another question pops quickly.]

MMA Latest: I represent MMA Latest. Kieran Amos. Many in the media are describing Real Killas MMA as the new wave in the MMA scene. Reception has been good and not without its detractors. How are you feeling about it all so far?

[Daniel beams with pride with that question.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: You aint going in the right direction without haters. I’m loving how my gym represents in and out of the cage. Reception overall not being a focus I mean the proof is in the people. Either way we gon grind. Look at our roster and tell me work isn’t being done. One of the biggest free agents just signed here and with the Killas, shouts to Primarch. The people see it even those that don’t like it. It’s already been said you aint gotta love us at all. You gon respect the comeup either way and I feel great about it. I’m glad the fighters that normally don’t get the chances are getting them, it’s how I got mine. It’s what we are here for and we gon thrive in the love or the hate. Never mattered. I’m proud cuh. Very.

MMA Latest: Do you feel slighted by your place on the card?

[Daniel looks lost for a minute. Giving the Russell Westbrook for the moment.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: My g what? Huh?

MMA Latest: You being on the main card not the headline or the main? You sold out many times before this. One of the more known names here in the MMA scene.

Daniel Fisk Jr: So? Fuck you mean? This is a new grind and they putting me on. Doesn’t matter if it’s the first or last. I’m here. I’m out here to add to the body count and I never worried about working my way on up. Mad Max first and that’s all I need to put my head at. Plus I know with it being in Houston they need to show love to ol dude Parker even if he stay on some other man shit. L-Mo about to slam him into another unheard lesson. Everybody can’t go sometimes.

[Daniel takes to his water drinking a bit while the next question comes through.]

FightBookMMA.com: Ok so I’ll actually ask this because it needs to be asked. I’m Leon Stanley from FightBook MMA. What do you have as your keys to victory against Mad Max? What you believe you have over her?

Daniel Fisk Jr: Experience for one. This her come out and that’s good for her. Would be nice for her & crew to learn the business but I mean it is what it is. At least she’ll have the right way when it comes to the weigh in and the face off later. I started off knocking off heads of much seasoned guys too. Maybe this bullshit silence shtick will work and she’ll clear my head from the shoulders. Be a new dominant force right off the back. It happens and I’ve had to lick my wounds before. Be crazy if she becomes the first person to stop me. Nobody has yet. Thing to me is where I’m from especially with social media and how Killas get down...you got the time and effort into throwing pictures and meaningful gifs but when in the same room or standing face to face you got no words? Bitch culture spreads cuh. I know she strong. I know if she hit me I’ma feel it. Just look at her...shit nigga. Her chin stronger than mine. My nigga got a 5 o clock that stay at 5 o clock cuh. Clean.

[Gestures over toward her opponent.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: Thing that slips me out about this profession now is how people got words & pictures & gifs and no shit to spit when time comes. Niggas too light in the ass to be shittin out here. Fucked up. Only Killas doing that right now. Win or lose you have no questions with us. Far as the cage I think I move and stay light on my feet it’ll come right. I can move for this size and not a lot of people can. I know she can’t. Keep her uncomfortable with it and watch her fall through. Ground game come to play we gon have fun there too. The work with the Killas I’m way better there. She giving me heart eyes, shit I’m a good looking dude. Show love to my parents for it I get it but I’m happily married. Lets see if she can make me a little less good lookin, but still good lookin either way. I’m looking for a fight of the night and performance bonus.

[Daniel smiles and he quickly thinks of something.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: Speaking of appreciation just to show.

[Daniel comes to a stand and unbuttons his suit jacket which gets a little more of a reaction from the crowd. He opens up the jacket to the inside where the graphic Mad Max gave him with the two fists coming to the middle with the world as the background. One fist with the USA flag on it and the other with the Cuban flag on it coming into the middle. Without the heart eyes part of course. Click here for reference.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: This shit cold. I gotta come for your head in the cage on Sat but this gospel. Thank you. Let's give them the show.

[He styles out for a minute standing up before sitting down with a smile and looking out toward the media.]

MMACS: Kyle Knox from MMACS. I was also present at the Real Killas Opening Conference. Speaking of happily married. The rumor mill headed your way on Eysium’s Tea Time Report about you and your wife, Kaliyah Kane. How have you been able to focus among the whispers of martial issues? You both were just married in Feb isn’t that a bad sign? Are you sure about that happily married statement? Is your focus on this fight?

[The smile slightly drops and he immediately red lines his eyes toward Kyle Knox. He doesn’t allow it to completely throw him off but his voice is more stern.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: Shoulda known y’all touch this. I see you got a ring on the particular finger cuh. You married right?

MMACS: Yes. Yes I am.

Daniel Fisk Jr: You ever fail your wife before?

MMACS: Husband, but yes.

Daniel Fisk Jr: My fault but point still stands. You failed your dude right? I failed my wife. On more than a few occasions. I’ve been failing her for a long time. Apologies can’t cover just like the cage only work can. That’s all I can do. I publicly apologize to my wife and her family. Unlike most, I mean my apologies. All the way around. It aint what you trying to place on at all. I understand it though you aint getting your stories looked at if it aint doom and gloom so you put the doom on it. I’m a public person so yall gon cover it. From the cage to my personal life. That’s gospel, I understand the business. That’s my Spesh make no mistake about that. Yall gon whisper and I’m going to work with my baby. Just like any of you who are married have to do the same. Put in work. Everyone on this stage has real life to come back to after those minutes in cage. You can’t fight right if your mind aint on that goal. You have to rock past that and that’s what I’m doing. Yes I’m happily married. It aint a bad sign just me fuckin up. No, I aint step out on her cause I know that’s the next move you on. Yes, happily married cause she has faith in me & I’d bet my life on her. Yes I’m focused on this fight because I want that championship. I’m the joking type but you know I don’t do jokes in that cage cuh. Never have. I coulda dodged that question but there you go. Bites for your paycheck. Million goddamn questions and shit.

[Kyle is surprised to not catch a more violate answer while Daniel stares at him. The next question from the media comes in.]

Cagepotato: Yves Franklin, from Cagepotato.com. As we can see Max is known and shows as far as today sticking to her silence with this endeavor, thoughts?

[Daniel shrugs and looks over to his opponent.]

Daniel Fisk Jr: I already spoke on this but if you need more I think it’s rude to yall honestly. The point of this is for us to boost the fights and you get to hear from us on your questions. Our mindsets and whatever the fuck. I’m a man cuh I have nothing to hide from any of you. Her silence should be across the board then if that’s really what you wanting. Pictures and all, well cept the one on my jacket cause that shit fire cuh. Keep them in complete suspense. Doesn’t change shit for me though. Goals still the same. Moves still the same. True blue stay same. Drop her like anyone else. Killa way.

[Once Reed gives the floor to the reporters, the focus now shifts over to newcomer Jeremiah Ford, who is patiently waiting to be called upon.]

MMAJUNKIE | PAUL FELDER:

Good evening, Jeremiah. Paul Felder with MMAJunkie. First thing I’d like to ask, when you initially signed your contract with Union GP, you had been listed as part of the Cruiserweight Division, but have since moved up to the Light Heavyweights. What was your thought process on moving up in weight and would you consider dropping back down?

JEREMIAH FORD:

To be honest, I really wanted to focus more on my skill set and less about making weight. This is a new venture for me so I wanted to be able to learn as much as I possibly could before stepping in the cage. Cutting to 155 isn’t that difficult to me, so yeah to answer your second question, I’d be willing to fight at either 155 or 185.

BLOODY ELBOW | KARIM ZIDAN:

Mr. Ford, Karim Zidan with Bloody Elbow, speaking on new ventures, your opponent for UGP #2, Aeron Roberts, had a match at UGP #1 and lost to Cristian Bonanno. Do you think you have the advantage seeing her offense while you have no footage on record of yourself?

JEREMIAH FORD:

Yes and no. I guess you could say I have that mystique to me about what I’m going to bring to the table. But it’s clear I have that wrestling foundation since I was a kid, and I’ve just been trying to add more stuff to my arsenal. From what I gathered from Roberts’ fight, she’s extremely strong and can take a hit. My coaches and I have been working on a game plan to exploit her weaknesses while imposing my strengths. I’m excited and honored to debut against Miss Roberts.

MMAMANIA | JESSE HOLLAND:

A question over here Mr. Ford. Jesse Holland of MMAMania. You mention your coaches, from what we can gather you are still training in Iowa with mentors you grew up with. Are there any aspirations to work into one of the higher echelon camps in the country? Like Slaughterhouse, Real Killas MMA, or Throne MMA?

JEREMIAH FORD:

As of right now, I’m more than happy where I’m training at. The guys I’m working with are people I’ve grown up with and trust completely. I can’t say yes or no right now, although it’s crossed my mind that if I want to reach the highest level, I need to train with the very best. Who knows what the future holds, maybe you might see me here with Slaughterhouse Houston one day? There’s several elite camps out there, but I guess really I hope there’s that option at the very least that one of them would want to take a chance on me.

MMAMANIA | JESSE HOLLAND:

And one final question. What is your strategy and mindset goin into your debut fight?

JEREMIAH FORD:

Well like I just mentioned, I plan to use my wrestling background to try and control the fight and set the tempo. From there I’ll just take what she’s giving up because she’s powerful and has a deadly submission game. I’ll just have to make sure I’m prepared for anything because you can expect one thing during camp but once you step inside the octagon, anything can happen!

[The reporters in the audience jot down on their notepads all of Jeremiah’s responses and then direct their attention to the next fighter.]