EVENT: UGP #2 Press Conference VENUE: Wortham Theater Center LOCATION: Downtown Houston, Texas [The stage is set inside the stunning Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston, Texas. Flash photography strobes sporadically and a dull rumble of conversation fill the atmosphere while fighters that are scheduled for UGP #2 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 ladies and gentlemen for being here and welcome to the official UGP #2 Press Conference. As you all may know by now, UGP #1 was a great success, and we fully expect UGP #2 to do the same. We are honored to hold our second event here in Houston and hope to do y’all proud. This city has many names; be it The Bayou City, Hustle-Town, or even The Big Heart. But it’s official nickname is Space City, and we hope to rocket launch our brand to new heights. Tonight we are here to allow you fine folks the opportunity pick apart these competitors who have been waiting in the wings for their moment. Some of these competitors are making their first marks in this company, while other are looking for some redemption. Allow me to give a quick rundown of the card before we officially begin. Our opening contest is a Light Heavyweight Round Robin Bout with Aeron Roberts looking to get back on track against a young prospect in Jeremiah Ford. Then a Heavyweight Round Robin Bout with Ferdinand Diao looking to get hisnfirst win against the veteran Shotgun Koa. After that, we have a Light Heavyweight Round Robin Bout with Cristian Bonanno taking in Kira Izumi, who’s searching for his first win. Then a Cruiserweight Tournament Bout with Annie Zellor taking on Kenzi Grey. After that, we’ve got the Dog Face Donnie Calabrese looking to get back on track against The Long Island Strong Derrick La’Bell. Then we’ve got the Real Killas MMA Owner Daniel Fisk taking in Mad Maxine in a Junior Heavyweight Tournament Bout. Our headline fight has the Houston homegrown Jordan Parker-Kane taking in Lauren Moore in a Cruiserweight Tournament Bout. And finally our main event, were calling it the battle on Mount Olympus. A former Olympic Boxer, Viktor Volkov, takes on former Olympic Wrestler, Nathan Lucas. This is a monumental main event that we are extremely excited to see. So to keep me from any further delays, allow me to turn it over to the reporters in attendance tonight.
[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.