EVENT: UGP #3 Press Conference
VENUE: Peabody Auditorium
LOCATION: Daytona Beach, Florida
DATE: Friday October 12, 2018 @ 8:00 PM ET
[This press conference isn’t like any that the UGP fighters and personnel has seen before in its early existence. The atmosphere is absolutely electric with music blasting over the PA and the mixed crowd of fans and reporters living it up and being loud. The room is dark with spotlights veering everywhere at random. Various chants break off in support of many of the fighters in attendance, and even some who aren’t. Tonight’s presser is special in that it’s the buildup for four semifinal tournament matches and four round robin matches to try and make their penultimate push to Championship opportunity. As the music dies down and the crowd starts to settle in, Dante Reed steps out to the main stage to a thunderous applause. As he steps up to the podium he nods his heads and gestures for everyone to calm down.]
DANTE REED
Thank you all for joining us this evening here for the official press conference of UGP #3. I have to first off just say how excited I am for this event. We have seen some wild fights and finishes in three events already, but this one here is big! So much is at stake in this event with so many possibilities. For many of the fighters here tonight, this is their final push for a championship opportunity. And unfortunately, for some it’ll be a devastating blow to a soaring ascent. We have sixteen fighters here tonight to not only put on a show, but to prove a point. So before I turn it over, allow me to break down the official card.
Our opening bout is in the Light Heavyweight Round Robin, matching Simon Bishop against Aeron Roberts. Both of these fighters need this win and with both coming off different outcomes of their previous fight, it’ll be fun to watch and see if momentum plays on either one’s side.
Then after that we have one of the two Cruiserweight semifinals matches between Jordan Parker-Kane and Annie Zellor. Zellor pointed out how this will be her second fight in a row going up against someone who was victorious in a fight of the night. Both fighters looked extremely good in their debuts and I cannot wait to watch this one live.
Then after that it’s our first Heavyweight Round Robin fight with Ferdinand Diao and Donnie Calabrese. This one is particularly interesting because I’m I think both of these guys have a fighting chance. Sure Donnie could just be playing spoiler, but if he were to win, I’m not certain that he doesn’t still have a title opportunity afterwards. Our official rankings are based on a complex, calculated formula, so everyone is definitely still in the hunt.
After that is our second Heavyweight fight between Derrick La’Bell and Shotgun Koa. Even though Derrick is all but locked in to the title fight, I still don’t think he’s taking any of these fights lightly. We’ve seen what Koa can do evidence by his KO win in the main event of UGP #1. I expect much of the same knockdown, drag out fight we’ve seen with these Heavyweight bouts.
Then after that is a battle of two undefeated fighters in Cristian Bonanno and Jeremiah Ford. Bonanno has been on fire in this round robin series and I think Ford has surprised many. Jeremiah’s KO win at Boss Fight #1 definitely put this division on notice and this one has the potential for fight of the night, no doubt.
Then our second Cruiserweight semifinals bout is between Lux Forte and Hanako Takeuchi. Both of these women have been waiting patiently since UGP #1 to get back into the octagon after having dominant and impressive victories. People have been clambering over this one since then and it’s sure to ignite some fireworks.
Then our Headline fight of the night is the first Junior Heavyweight semifinals fight between Seth Daniels and Roscoe Robinson. Robinson has been exploding on the scene calling out some of the industries biggest influencers, and Daniels has shown he’s got some dangerous hands. Big fight that has a lot of people talking.
Then in our main event, the second Junior Heavyweight semifinals fight is between Daniel Fisk and Nathan Lucas. These guys both shocked the world at UGP #2, winning their fights in short order knockouts in under thirty seconds. This is the fight everyone wants to see, two guys with knockout power and great knowledge of the sport all around.
So without anymore delaying, allow me to turn it over to you guys.
[Derrick has finally shown up for a press conference, not for lack of trying. He’s leaning forward, listening to the reporters ask their questions and the photographers snapping their picture. He’s really excited for UGP 4, and cannot wait to show the world that he was finally ready to hold a championship. He looks eager, but humble, when all of a sudden he hears]
[b]Fightline News[/b]
My question is for Derrick La’Bell...
[Derrick gets a grin on his face he just can’t shake]
[b]Fightline News[/b]
Derrick, you’ve had title matches in wrestling, and have always seemed to come up short. Does that play into your mindset here in the octagon?
[Derrick takes a minute before responding]
[b]Derrick La’Bell[/b]
Not really. I love the ring, I enjoy getting to show off my athleticism for crowds in ways I can’t necessarily do in the octagon, but it’s like comparing apples to oranges. In wrestling, not everyone deserves their shot, and not every shot is a fair one. It’s treated as a spectacle, and given anything can happen in wrestling, 9 times out of 10, you won’t be the guy winning the match.
The Octagon though, that is something different. It’s more intimate between fans and fighters, because you’re watching the two actual best fighters in a division face off.. Sure, we’re still showing our athleticism and putting on a show per say, but wrestling matches go on for 15-30 minutes before anyone starts to slow down, and a lot can happen. In MMA, most of us barely make it to the finish in one piece. We put our bodies on the line in a way wrestlers don’t, and when you’re in a championship situation, it’s because you truly are the baddest mutha out there.
There’s no interference or roll ups in that cage. The Slaughterhouse crew aint gonna distract Ferdinand for me to get a cheap win. I’ve got to knock him out before he knocks me out, and we’re both gonna be looking to end it as fast as possible. MMA Championship fights are a completely different [i]“beast”[/i], so to answer your question, my losses in past championship matchups won’t be on my mind in the slightest, my undefeated streak here in UGP will be though.
[Derrick nods, as he takes a drink of water, as another reporter stands up and directs their attention to “Long Island Strong”]
[b]Fight Me Online[/b]
Derrick, you brought up your undefeated streak in UGP. How does it feel to be, statistically, the best fighter in the division?
[Derrick laughs a bit, and shakes his head]
[b]Derrick La’Bell[/b]
Don’t jinx me like that! Haha
You calling me that is too much now. There’s only been three fights that we’ve had, you can’t call me the best.
[The reporter looks confused]
[b]Fight Me Online[/b]
But statistically speaking, you are the best. Let me rephrase, how does it feel to be the only undefeated fighter in your division?
[Derrick points to the reporter with a smile]
[b]Derrick La’Bell[/b]
Much better. Legit though, it’s makes me proud of the work I’ve put in. The dude before you brought up that I’ve been on the bad end of some championship matches in wrestling, but as a whole, I’ve been on a bad side in wrestling.
Coming back to MMA, joining a legit gym, and putting in that work day in and day out, it’s proved that everything I’ve said really can be backed up. Being undefeated, fighting a man that I’ve defeated before, and I am confident that I will do it again, it all plays into the concept that the harder you grind, the sharper you will be.
Being undefeated is great, but I also look forward to my inevitable first loss, so I can learn even more. I don’t think it will be UGP 4 though.
[A random voice from the back screams out]
[b]Random Reporter #847.3[/b]
How long do you train?
[Derrick laughs a bit]
[b]Derrick La’Bell[/b]
Too much time. I’ve had Teresa Salazar personally kick me out of the gym a few times, because I’m always there.
I have a similar work out regimen to that one movie star with all that ugly bull tattoo and the crazy cheat day posts on IG. Up at 3-4 am, train till I can’t anymore, eat, sleep if I can, and then go right back at it while everyone is sleeping.
[A few of the other reporters laugh at the comparison of his work out and Dwayne]
[Another reporter comes to the forefront, and asks Derrick a question.]
[b]Da Punching Website[/b]
Derrick, is there a chance we're gonna see the #HellBows tomorrow night?
[The reporters laugh a little, before Derrick can answer]
[b]Derrick La’Bell[/b]
I have no ideas. Ferdinand looks ready, and he sounds ready, so I'm sure he's already scouted my ground game. I've come to I understand that my Elbow strikes have become a crowd favorite these last couple of fights, but I have no idea how this fight could go down.
I'm very excited for tomorrow night