EVENT: UGP 6 Press Conference
VENUE: TIDAL Theater @ The Barclays Center
LOCATION: Brooklyn, New York
DATE: Friday December 21, 2018 @ 8:00 PM ET [On the outside, the streets of New York are chilly and damp, but inside the TIDAL Theater in the Barclays Center the place is lit. Thousands of fans sprawl from wall-to-wall with dozens of media reporters scattered throughout fill the dimly lit room, waiting anxiously for the night’s press conference for the year-end UGP #6 event. The reverberating chatter among the crowd become subtle white noise with the PA system booming. After a few moments, Union Grand Prix President Dante Reed emerges onto the main stage and the crowd salutes him with thundering applause. Dante takes his place at the center podium and not far behind him are the fighters scheduled for tomorrow’s event filling the seats reserved with name cards. The champions Cristian Bonanno and Daniel Fisk sit at Dante’s right side while Edan McLeod and Roscoe Robinson sit on his left. The remaining fighters take their seats and Dante begins his opening statements.]
DANTE REED
Welcome ladies and gentlemen; thank you all for being here tonight. Tonight we prepare for our final event of 2018, and it has the potential to be our biggest one yet. Two title fights headline the card, with fellow New Yorker Cristian Bonanno defending his Middleweight Championship against Edan McLeod in the Main Event, and Daniel Fisk defending his Cruiserweight Championship against fellow Real Killas MMA fighter Roscoe Robinson in the Co-Main Event.
I can’t stress enough how excited I am to see these two fights go down. We’ll start with the Co-Main… Daniel Fisk has arguably been the face of this company. He’s a very vocal promoter for himself, for his camp, for his fighters, and for this company. Union GP and Daniel Fisk has become intertwined over these last few months, and without him, I can’t say that we have the level of success we have today. Tomorrow night he goes up against one of his proteges in the Real Killas MMA camp. A man that has so many similarities to Fisk in terms of tenacity and swagger, people have been salivating at the thought of seeing these two square up. Sometimes training partners who fight in the same division will intentionally avoid each other out of respect for one another, but Fisk and Robinson have a relationship that surpasses that type of policy. Both of these men know that this is a business first and foremost, and no matter who has their hand raised at the end of their fight, it will not tarnish their family ties. They may not be family by blood, but they are family through the grind.
[Dante pauses for a moment as the crowd cheers in unanimous agreement to the Real Killas mantra.]
DANTE REED
Our Main Event is a match-up I’ve been waiting to see. Cristian Bonanno has completely demolished his competition en route to a title win, and his opponent tomorrow night has done much of the same in his journey to this moment. Bonanno and McLeod have been extremely exciting in every fight they’ve been in, and have nearly won some sort of bonus as a result. I can’t say there have been any more brutal competitors than these two, and we are thrilled to have this main event the Barclays Center and cap off our soaring year.
The remaining card is packed with contenders scratching the surface to glory and hungry young prospects ready to give everything they have to make it to the top. These fighters in the under card personify what we strive to deliver each and every time. They have that “never say die” attitude and that “never lose focus” determination that builds a legacy in this sport.
So with that, allow me to officially turn it over to the reporters here tonight to begin our session. Thank you all!
[Dante leans away from the mic stand stationed on the podium as the sea of reporters dart their hands up high in the air, begging to be called on.]
The Union GP fans are almost more vocal than the press at this point. Different chants coming it at different times throughout the Press Conference.
“UCCISORE!!!”
“NATURAL!!!”
“UCCISORE!!”
“NATURAL!!!”
“SHOOTER!!!”
“.44!!!”
“SHOOTER!!!”
“.44!!!”
New York is officially ready for tomorrow’s showcase of some of the best in MMA. While the crowd stills questions from the mad press in front of the fighters look for their opening. It’s hard to find one with Brooklyn going crazy behind them. Cruiserweight Champion Daniel Fisk Jr smiles seeing their energy not being too animated but enjoying the moment with this being his first press conference ever as a champion. He looks around at the packed TIDAL Theater soaking it all in similar to how he did when he challenged in the Finals at UGP #4. These moments aren’t missed on him, he is smelling the roses. People don’t enjoy life The Champ has been enjoying every minute. Dressed to impress as always this time with a tailored gray colored Kilton suit. The Union GP Cruiserweight belt displayed proudly in front of him.
Not far from him was sitting a familiar face and one belonging to Roscoe Robinson, the man who will be challenging Fisk for the Union GP Cruiserweight Championship at UGP #6. He wasn’t dressed as elegant as Fisk with a custom tailored suit. He kept things simple, for the most part at least dressed in all black. For the most part. His coat on the other hand, it would attract a few eyes his way when his mouth wasn’t turning heads. They were in New York in the middle of December. It’s an entirely different atmosphere than back in California where more than likely he would never even think of wearing this coat. Tonight was different though. This fight at UGP #6 was different. Two gangstas stepping into the cage and dressed the part.
MMA Junkie ⃒ John Morgan
.44 vs Shooter. Some of us at the office are calling it the Father vs Son although with less than a decade between you in age sounds off. I want to address you both long as I have time. My first question is for the Champion. This is your dream match as far as your first defense. Something you and Roscoe and the rest of your camp has been calling for since the beginning of the tournament. How does it feel to have Roscoe Robinson as your first defense as Union GP Cruiserweight Champion?
The Brooklyn crowd cheers hearing the end of the question and Fisk salutes toward John Morgan being a reporter that’s been around since the beginning of Union GP’s start.
Daniel Fisk Jr
It’s about fuckin time. It’s what shoulda been there to decide who held it in the first place. There’s nothing better than Killas in the division & we provin it tomorrow night. I’m nervous John…
The crowd gets a little quiet hearing that. Fans look at each other and murmur under their breath. Fisk hears and sees the reaction from the fans and press clear as day wasting no time.
Daniel Fisk Jr
Naww naww, yall heard me right. No reason to lie. I’m nervous. Against Lucas, I felt I knew his weaknesses better. Against Daniels, the dude was more worried about how I talked than how I fought so I knew I was gon fold him. This one here? The Shooter ‘Scoe? Knows every single one of my weaknesses in depth and detail. Beyond what the tape show on God. How the fuck wouldn’t he? He’s been my training partner since the moment he signed. The only other person in the division that can say they have some of that similar knowledge? Reaver. This different cause not only do I face someone more familiar with me. I’m facing someone that’s family to me. Still, I been at it long enough to know that gate close you get hit with the .44. That rule is universal. A Champion only as strong as his defenses. I don’t want a gimme. I don’t want any soft defenses. I’m glad Roscoe pushed Lucas aside to get this going. Been wanting this. Energy too strong in this Theater. Cuh, lets go.
Nodding his head at Fisk’s answer, Morgan turns to Roscoe, looking in his direction with a personal question for him.
MMA Junkie ⃒ John Morgan
Roscoe, you’re three and one in your professional career with that single loss coming at the hands of Seth Daniels who went on the fight Daniel in the finals of the tournament. Knowing the outcome of your fight with him and then his fight with Daniel shortly after, do you worry at all that the same fate may await you inside of the cage Saturday night?
With no hesitation at all, Roscoe fires back confidently with an answer.
Roscoe Robinson
Abso-fuckin’-lutely not. What happened in the cage with Seth and I will be the only time you ever see a mishap like that from me. Everybody gets lucky now and again. That’s why you see him further down in the card while us Killas are in the co-main event. There’s no love lost between us over this upcomin’ fight, but we ain’t holdin’ anything back neither. It should have been the two of us in the finals, but shoulda, coulda, woulda’s ain’t makin’ it happen. We here now. That fourty-four may hit hard, but it’s undeniable that the point five-o is packing a far more powerful punch and leavin’ a bigger hole in a body.
Both Roscoe and Fisk look to each other as the floor is silent for a short moment. From across the room, a different voice speaks up, addressing Daniel.
Combat Press ⃒ Anthony Browner
Given the stakes of this fight and the fact that both of you not only come from the same gym but you also have trained together extensively in the past, I have a question for both of you, a two part in fact. Let’s start with you first, Daniel. The moment this fight was announced with the championship on the line, has anything changed between you two back home in the gym? On that same note, once inside of the cage, if the moment presents itself to knock the other out, possibly even hurt them, would you hold anything back?
Fisk keeps it smooth and easy tapping the top of the belt before answering.
Daniel Fisk Jr
Nope because we both know what it's about. This right here. We talked shit before this fight lined up. Sparring. Chillin. Against each other. Against opponents. Shooter wouldn't be shooter if he didn't shoot. I expect no different when it come to me. I wouldn't enjoy this if shit changed up. The game plan always been this with us meeting, coming to this real final. C's clear on this though, you will never see a Killa hold back against another Killa. I am not building a culture for hold back. There's no one on RK roster holding back shit, ever. I c opportunity, he's done. Holding back is a bitch trait.
Fisk gestures over with a smile.
Daniel Fisk Jr
And while he loading up that fifty cause I don't fuck wit it ever...power & precision hitting him up while he struggle on that recoil.
Combat Press ⃒ Anthony Browner
What about you, Roscoe? If given the opportunity, even if Daniel is in real danger of being possibly hurt from one final strike, are you holding back?
He smiled, looking down at his hands while tending to his fingernails, always one to look one hundred no matter the setting. He didn’t answer right away, but softly chuckled at the question he was presented with. Keeping his head down, his eyes looked up at Anthony as he responded.
Roscoe Robinson
Hold back?
Raising his head, he leaned forward, resting his arms on the tabletop.
Roscoe Robinson
I believe I answered this question already just the other day on Twitter. You don't gotta slap me five or give me a hug. And it hurts when you gotta kill a ni—
He stopped for just a brief moment, remembering exactly where he was.
Roscoe Robinson
Kill a person you love. This is just business. There are no hard feelings between the two of us. Just respect and some gold on the table. No matter the outcome here, all us Real Killas gonna eat. I’m goin’ to eat and Fisk goin’ to eat too. When it’s all said and done though, my plate might just be a little heavier than his. There ain’t no holdin’ back when we’re inside of that cage. What you think this is? This ain’t no Oahu type bitches fightin’ each other over table scraps. This the big boys fightin’ over the crown.
Union GP ⃒ Toussaint Harper
Actually about that twitter back and forth now that you brought it up Roscoe. Not to jump off the previous question but I’m sure people are interested. It seemed all in good play between you two but I felt the seriousness behind those words. Daniel being more jovial about it all it seems than you in my opinion. Does that offend you in any way?
Extending his arm out and holding up his hand, Roscoe stops Harper before proceeding any further.
Roscoe Robinson
Why would it offend me? It’s like you’re expectin’ us to be at each other’s throats like it’s personal. It’s only business. After Saturday night we goin’ to be back at the same gym workin’ with each other, buildin’ each other up.
Looking over to Daniel, Roscoe winks a single eye with a smirk on his face.
Roscoe Robinson
But Saturday night he goin’ to be handing’ that strap over to your new UGP Cruiserweight Champion. Bet on that.
Union GP ⃒ Toussaint Harper
Fair enough. Then I’ll ask you Daniel. I look at you up there and see a man who seems a lot more smiles than usual. In your previous bouts we saw a lot more seriousness out of you in the path to becoming the first Union GP Cruiserweight Champion. Do you think you are a little bit too lighthearted at this point? Not being as serious as you should be?
At that moment Daniel tilts his head a little bit almost like one of those confused puppy clips you see on the timeline or television screen. Fisk looks at Toussaint Harper silently for a little while longer before clearing his throat and a deep chuckle leaves him.
Daniel Fisk Jr
On God nigga...le-lemme explain somethin to you cuh.
Daniel takes off the Oakley frames from his eyes placing them down in front of him.
Daniel Fisk Jr
I won’t repeat what I’ve said before. The drought I was in before gaining this championship & deadin certain demons of my past. Sitting here wit this belt in front of me, still the same narrative. Is Fisk able to balance his responsibilities as trainer, fighter, and owner? Is Fisk able to focus wit his hands in so much money moves? Is Fisk able to---I’m the damn Champion cuh. The fuck you think? The more I prove I live this shit the more questions about it? Now, I’m not serious enough to go against someone I just said makes me nervous because at this point in my career he knows me the best. If that isn’t serious loc I don’t know what is. That’s a danger over there cuh, I know that. So what now I gotta give you speech as to why I’m serious? On why a nigga gotta cement what he did in the tournament in the first place? Fuck it cuh I’m long winded anyway.
Daniel extends his arms a bit as if getting comfortable before bringing the microphone back toward his face.
Daniel Fisk Jr
Fact, I still have the cleanest one punch KO in this company period. Fact, I’m the only current undefeated champion still aint seen a 2nd round in this company. And you’ve seen me ask for it. I’m needing Roscoe right now cause I don’t go through 3 a days...4 a days...dead on days training to be less than 5 minutes in that cage. Fact, I am who I am in that cage no matter what the fuck yall c’s months, weeks, or days before. Also fact, I’m not in the stands during these shows when I’m not on the card because I’m in the corner of my fighters. Serious about it every damn day but I’ma damn sure enjoy my shit, you feel me? This belt, is MY shit. Everyone here enjoys walking around mean muggin & putting on. Let me pause, I do it too but one thing I’ma do with this right here?
Fisk picks up the belt and smiles into it’s shining reflection before putting it down.
Daniel Fisk Jr
...Is enjoy it. Enjoy working & dying to keep it. Cause there’s a lot of fighters come & gone aint even sniffed opportunity like this. Enjoy the target on my back with everyone in my division wanting to step forward. Enjoy Shooter and I going in there to unload every clip in the holster & then some to walk out with it. I been without it for too long. Yall wish I would just shit on it like Diao don’t you? C’s clear cuh, I was MMA’s 40-year-old virgin. Call it what it is. My fucking little dunce ass cousin Vo cashed in on gold before me in his career. Fuck do you mean Harper? I popped my championship cherry out this bitch so yes, you muhfukin right. I’ma let my dick hang on this goddamn table & fucking smile about it. No one taking that away from me.
The women go wild at that statement a lot of them whoo’in and screaming at the handsome champion.
Daniel Fisk Jr
I’ma walk down Union GP hallways as I do after having sex with my wife doing the ‘dicked her down’ dance. That energy. Big. All day. The same energy I had climbing is the same energy you will see out of me to defend & sustain as leader of the Cruiserweights. Lightheart sound too much like softassed to me. I aint even offended either Toussaint. I’m just waiting for you all to tell me what my next problem is on my next defense. Aint no looking past Roscoe either. I see him right over there.
Points toward Roscoe.
Daniel Fisk Jr
...and Saturday night I’ma see him right here.
Gestures in front of himself basically saying they’ll be toe to toe.
Daniel Fisk Jr
...and once all said done you gon see him down there.
Points toward the floor giving obvious meaning.
Daniel Fisk Jr
We gon give you the Killa Party you been wanting and waiting for. You see people talking about the Main Event. We got em screaming about this Headline. That’s what the fuck we do & what we will stay true to.
Roscoe Robinson
Believe that, champ. We can sit here and talk about it all night, or…
Looking across at Daniel, Roscoe raises both fists.
Roscoe Robinson
We can let these do the talkin’ tomorrow night. Pop, pop...
“--REAL KILLAS ONLY YOU BOXHEAD BITCHES!! IT’S GURU!!”
Daniel pauses shaking his head with a smirk as the camera view moves from the podium to the side of the Theater where Gizmo is sitting next to Robert Guilliman, Lauren Moore, and a number of other Killas together as the unit. Gizmo gives a few more hoots louder than the damn microphones given to the fighters on the stage. Guilliman is smirking and Lauren smiles while the crowd around them laughs and cheers which brings the rest of the RK fans in TIDAL Theater to loud cheers and repeats of both “Shooter” and “.44” Giz stands up throwing his hands around telling them to get louder.