UGP 5 PRESS CONFERENCE

Hailey McIntyre shares some words with a hooded woman standing behind her. They nod at each other, and Hailey brings her microphone closer to her. The reporter’s hands go up once again.

MMA Reporter 1:

Hailey. What was your assessment of the champion, Jordan Parker-Kane then and now that you are about to face him?

Hailey took a moment turned observe the reporter. A small grin appearing on her face.

Hailey McIntyre:

First things first, I am proud of him for becoming champion. Despite the rumours I am not just a bitch. I value people's talent, even when it doesn't scare me of. Truth is this, not everyone likes me. And the rest don't take notice of me. Why? I never asked. I never cared. What I know it's this: I got a title match. And no matter what happens out there, I will give it my best shot. Like always.

MMA Reporter 2:

How did you prepare for this match? Did you do anything differently with this being a championship match?

She looked over her shoulder directly at the figure with the hoodie. There was another nod.

Hailey McIntyre:

Different? How? I guess some of you have a wrong idea about this industry. All of us are out there because we love to fight. We live for the adrenaline and to a degree for the violence. I am not sure I can explain this to anyone that isn't a fighter, but I will try. You will treat every match like a championship match. You go into each of them as if it's for your life. You never know, one day it maybe is. So, no. I followed my usual routine which means, six days a week. No slowing down.

MMA Reporter 2:

You have been seen with Real Killas MMA fighter Xabier Belazco in many of these events. How are you connected with them, and are you thinking of switching camps from RawGraps? Has that been a change?

Hailey McIntyre:

You seen me with Xabier and the Killas? What a surprising statement. Jokes aside, I will spill a little tea here. The night Xabier had his epic win something else actually happened. We got engaged. Yeah, I know there was no huge announcement or anything, and there won't be. But this will give you an idea as of why I am seen around their hood. Second, most of them are really cool cats. I had good chats with Daniel about the business. But does that shadow my loyalty to my current gym? Not at all. There have been no negotiations about a change, so consider me #RAWAF.

MMA Reporter 3:

Wow, congratulations. Who is that behind you? You keep talking to them a lot.

Hailey motions for the person to move over. You can feel a certain tension as the figure slowly moves and comes to a stand next to Hailey.

Hailey McIntyre:

Took you a moment to come out of the closet, huh? This woman is none other than Saga Haug. Doesn't ring a bell? It will, trust me on that. She picked me up on my lowest day and has been an inspiration ever since then. She also handles most of my business.

The two females looked at each other for a while before Hailey stepped aside.

Hailey McIntyre:

The stage is yours.

The journalists looked slightly confused as Saga removed her long hood and revealed an extremely modified waifish face. She had rune like tattoos, scarification, the works. There was a silence in the room as Saga looked at the reporters and fighters alike with a smile, but one reporter got up.

MMA Reporter 1:

I will ask bluntly: Who are you? Not what is your function for Hailey, but who are you?

Saga Haug:

I am many things. First and foremost I am a collector of stories. I have wandered across the world in search of the bravest heroes to add to my collection. The opening of Union GP and the greater MMA boom brought me here. I saw a lot of greatness around me, but I was most attracted to this warrior here. I am her guide, advisor, and most practically, her management.

The reporters still seemed slightly confused, mumbling to each other.

MMA Reporter 3:

You say management, Miss Haug. What exactly you doing for Hailey?

Saga Haug:

Do you not know what a manager does, little one? I am the negotiate her contract with the Union GP, and her winnings for each fight. I get her sponsorships and work on any other sort of dealings of that nature. Most importantly, I help her prepare her mind for battle. Her body is honed at this RawGraps Gym, but I mold her mind to be the best that she can be. I do this so that I can watch and enjoy her battles. That is what I get out of it, and so do you.

Hailey didn't hide her grin while standing behind Saga.

MMA Reporter 2:

So you actually believe that your client can beat JPK? The bets are not in her favour.

Saga Haug looks around at all the fighters with a smile until her purple eyes rest on Jordan Parker-Kane

Saga Haug:

I see many great fighters here, but I am standing with the best. Hailey McIntyre is my truth. I chose her for a reason. I will send her against the world to prove that the warrior age is not over. Strength still wins out in the end. This self titled “Worst Fighter” will not stand a chance against her. She will win the championship and show you all what it means to be strong.

Saga stepped back and extended her hand to the side. Hailey got up from her seat, and walked offstage to the side with Saga following her.

Sat along the row of fighters is the youngest member of the UPG roster, and Lightweight champion, Jordan Parker - Kane. The nineteen-year-old sits in black slacks and a matching jacket. Underneath the jacket is a gray t-shirt. The shirt reads “Who is the worst fighter in Slaughterhouse and why is it Jordan Parker - Kane”, in gold. The UGP Lightweight Championship is propped up on the table just in front of Jordan.

As soon as UGP President, Dante Reed makes his opening and leans the floor for questions. All the reporters raise their hands and start to talk over one another. Finally, UGP staffers at the front gain some semblance of order, allowing a reporter to step up to ask a question.

Bleacher Report:

Steven Rondina, Bleacher Report…. My question is for Jordan Parker.

Jordan leans forward in his chair to speak in the microphone.

Bleacher Report:

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.

Jordan laughs and offers a shrug.

JPK:

My house is full of food that I couldn't eat… Gotta love trying to make weight.

A few laughs are heard through the reporters and audience.

JPK:

All in all it was good. Got to spend time with family, some of which haven't seen in several months. Thanks for asking.

Bleacher Report:

Last week you exchanged words with Cal McCluskey.

Jordan’s eyes roll at the mention of Cal and the situation from last weekend.

Bleacher Report:

If allowed, despite the weight difference, would you step in the cage to fight him?

JPK:

As I have said before, if we were to fight I'd run circles around him. If Dante were to open the weight classes to allow such fights, I'd consider it and see if the situation were a good one. He's bigger but.

Jordan shrugs.

JPK:

I wrestle people bigger on a regular basis. I've walked into the cage with far badder… Hell

Jordan pats the championship belt in front of him.

JPK:

I have something that he'll never have.

Bleacher Report:

Which brings us to comments regarding, and from Daniel Fisk and Rea…

Jordan shakes his head, rolling his eyes a bit, he leans forward a bit to interrupt Rondina.

JPK:

No comment.

Bleacher Report:

Excuse me?

JPK:

My management has instructed me to not comment about certain people or situations. Words seem to get twisted into meaning something unintended.

Jordan offers a shrug.

JPK:

Some things are just not worth the hassle. Not when I have a fight to prepare for.

Rondina nods, seemingly in agreement. He takes a seat and a new reporter is selected.

Bloody Elbow:

Tim Bissell, with Bloody Elbow.

JPK:

Evening.

Bloody Elbow:

With this being your first defense. How are you feeling?

JPK:

I feel good. Had a good camp. As we saw with Annie and Hanako, who are more pure strikers, which play into my ability to dodge and counter. Hailey, fights a similar style, though she has a similar counter ability which presents a unique challenge for me. I'm expecting this to be my greatest challenge to date in UPG.

Bloody Elbow:

Greatest challenge? Even more than Hanako Takeuchi?

JPK:

Hailey is probably one of the more all-around fighters. Hanako is a great striker. Maybe the best in all of UPG. Hell, she knocked out Hailey in what, 25 seconds? That's why she's more dangerous than anyone in the lightweight division right now. That kind of loss can drive a person. This is a huge opportunity for her to erase the taste of that.

Jordan picks up a glass of water to take a sip.

JPK:

There is no one more dangerous than someone with something to prove.

Bloody Elbow:

What about you? Once again twitter polls have you losing this fight.

Jordan smirks.

JPK:

As I said, nothing more dangerous than a person with something to prove.

Jordan sips his water again.

JPK:

Keep doubting... Keep saying I can't do it… Keep saying “I'm the worst fighter in Slaughterhouse”... I plan on walking out of that cage tomorrow night the same way I walk in.

Jordan taps the championship belt.

JPK:

I signed on with this company with one goal to run through the tournament and win this championship, as you see… I did that, with everyone saying I couldn't. Tim, you said I couldn't take Lauren Moore down. That she was going to ragdoll me. Annie was supposed to outclass me, for no other reason than she's a crazy white girl. Hanako was supposed to knock me out. Yet here we are… I am the champion and it doesn't matter who is out in front of me. I will remain champion.

Jordan takes another sip of water as Tim Bissel sits down.

Sherdog:

Matt McNulty with Sherdog. Just a quick question for you. You were asked cageside at The last Boss Fight if you thought Hailey deserved this shot. Still feel she does?

JPK:

As I said that night… Outside of a rematch, with Hanako, no one else really made sense for the shot. This lightweight division is getting stacked, with as 10 new fighters added since UGP 1. I would expect ranking to get turned upside down after the next few shows. Gonna lead to some really good fights. I look forward to seeing how it all shakes down.

Sherdog:

If you do win, who would you like to see get the next opportunity at the championship?

JPK:

Yeah, I'm not playing that game. I start to look ahead to predict next challenger and I won't be champion anymore. My focus is solely on Hailey. I'll worry about who's next on Sunday.

Sherdog:

If we can I want to go back to your last fight with Hanako. She had said if you beat her she'd agree to face you for her Iron Japan Shoot Crown Championship. Her post-fight press conference she reiterated that. Is there interest in taking that opportunity.

JPK:

I've learned to never say never when it comes to things like this, but right now… It's unlikely. They have their schedule mapped for the near future and I've finally gotten my schedule into a bit of a grove. I already have SFN that's gonna be added in starting next year. I'm not against the idea of it. I just don't think schedules are going to allow it.

Sherdog reporter takes a seat as another one is chosen to ask a question.

MMAfighting.com

Esther Lin, with MMAFighting.com. You mentioned your schedule. Do you feel that people doubt or question you because you keep a fairly busy schedule, whereas many UGP fighters only have fights here?

JPK:

I'm sure it's a factor. Though I've proven that it hasn't been an issue for me, least not up to this point. If I ever feel that my schedule is hurting my performance, I’ll reevaluate at that point.

Jordan pauses for a moment looking around at the crowd and at the fighters a sitting on stage with him.

JPK:

Though it's kinda funny that I get asked the question a lot when there are people on this roster who wrestle as much, if not more than I do. Sometimes in highly brutal death matches. There are some who literally play full-on tackle football the day before fights. I know Hailey has had all this time to devote just to prepare for this fight, but I am still confident in myself and my camp that we have developed a strategy that will keep me undefeated in UPG.

A new reporter stands.

FAQ:

F. Alexander Quinn, with Baumer Report and Circle TV.

Jordan rolls his eyes, knowing this is going to be stupid idiotic questions.

JPK:

Baumer Report is still a thing?

FAQ:

Very much so… Just wanted to follow up on my report about your break up with Brittany Williams.

JPK:

Is it actually relevant to anything?

FAQ:

Of course. Would I be here to ask if it wasn't?

Not waiting on a response, he continues.

FAQ:

Have you noticed a change in how you are received by fans or your fellow fighters, now that its known you cheated on your now ex-girlfriend?

JPK:

Think you need to work on what you consider relevant. I haven't noticed any major change. Then again, I've given people enough reason to not like me over the last few months with things I have stupidly done or said, but feel free to ask them how they feel.

Jordan sits back, pushing the microphone back a bit to show he's done with questions for now.