UGP 29 PRESS CONFERENCE

EVENT: UGP 29 Press Conference

VENUE: Tacoma Dome

LOCATION: Tacoma, Washington

DATE: September 24, 2021

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[Inside the Tacoma Dome, the final cluster of spectators and reporters file in to take their seats. Music is bumping over the PA system to keep the energy high. After a few moments, Union GP President Dante Reed takes the center stage to a warm ovation. From the left-facing side of the stage, Roscoe Robinson, Dallas Meechan, Kennard Rozier, Robert Guilliman, and Lena Lyons take their reserved seats while on the right-facing side Gauge Lattimore, Gianna Howard, Owen Barnes, Nigel Musgrove, and Kelsi Morrow sit in their reserved seats. The crowd slowly dies down and without much hesitation, Dante Reed takes the mic.]

DANTE REED

Tacoma, Washington! What’s good?!

[The crowd pops.]

DANTE REED

It’s been a long time coming. It’s long overdue. Finally, we made our way up here in the Pacific Northwest, and we wanted to bring you all a killer lineup to show our gratitude for waiting so long. We’ve got three championships on the line… Three fresh match-ups for all the glory that we have yet to see, and I believe this night could very well be one that will be talked about for ages. Some of these fighters on this stage have the chance to make history, and some have the chance to make their mark in this sport. So let’s open up the floor to you all out there tonight. Who’s got the first question?

[The sea of reporters jump high into the air like a detonated bomb with their arms extended out as much as possible. The small group of event staff scurry through the seats, and without much wait, the first reporter is handed a microphone, and it’s our very own Isaac Cohen.]

ISAAC COHEN

Dante, this question is for you actually. We have the three big title fights scheduled, but I want to dive into the Middleweight bout between Robert Guilliman and Nigel Musgrove. When the Upcoming Fights lineup was released, I couldn’t help but notice that you have Travis Decker headlining UGP 30 against a contender “to be determined”. Is it safe to say that whoever walks away victorious between that fight will be the next challenger for Decker?

DANTE REED

That’s the idea, that’s what we’re aiming for, yes. Of course, so many things can happen between now and then. With that said, that fight isn’t a guaranteed title eliminator. We’re also keeping a close eye on the fight between Asher Jrue and Lars Levy coming up at Boss Fight XXX. I’d say whoever impressed the most between those two fights will get the shot, barring any injuries or any other unforeseen circumstances.

[Dante nods his head as Isaac takes a momentary seat while the next reporter is handed a microphone. A portly man with thick brown glasses stands up, signalling that he has a question.]

ARNALDO D’ANGELO

I’m with the MMAJunkies, and I have a question for the current Bantamweight champion. Dallas, do you think fighting so soon after your last defense is a smart idea? In the longevity of a fighter, you just signed a very high-paying contract, do you really need this fight right now? Wouldn’t it be wiser to take some time off, and let a natural challenger rise?

[Dallas sits up in his seat, dressed to the fucking shining star that he is. A golden, velveteen suit with darker bronze pinstripes going through make up his suit for the evening, with matching pocket square lined up perfectly on his breast. His wild hair was slicked backed, and his facial hair had been perfectly groomed to pull off a Van Gough - which had been bleached blond. He smirks behind his blacked-out aviators with a copper tint, that matched the pinstripes in his suit.]

DALLAS MEECHAN

No Bruv, I don’t think that be very wise at all. See I’m of the kind of blood that ain’t around for long, but I’m damn near unmissable when I’m at the top. Ya’ understand what I’m sayin’? I know what I got, and I know that with every day and every moment I just lose the one thing that keeps most of us goin’, and that’s youth. So I’ll take all the fights ya’ can fuckin’ give me, every single one of em’. Because Dallas Meechan waits for no man, no lass. If you want what I got you can come fockin’ get it. And Gianna was put in front of me, so she is goin’ to feel what it’s like to be in the cage with the king of 135!

[Dallas cockishly flexes, kissing one of his biceps and waving his fingers for the next question.]

FRANKLIN ROSETTI

Franklin Rosetti here with All In The Clinch media. With multiple, DOMINANT title defenses in the books, it looks like we may never see anyone else hold that Bantamweight championship again as long as you are sitting on the throne. Lots of critics are saying that Gianna represents one of the toughest challenges for you yet. Do you think this is true?

[With a sly grin curling up on one side of his lips, Dallas leans forward, letting one armrest on his Bantamweight championship, which is displayed to the cameras.]

DALLAS MEECHAN

Gianna is tough, give er’ that. But is she tougher than Lauren Moore? Or Lena Lyons? Who’s’ta say? Only time. She is on quite the tear, has a record very similar to mine. But only difference is I’m the guy with the championship, ain’t I? It takes a lot of work to climb the mountain, but even more to cement your flag and keep it. And as you said, I just had one of the most dominant defenses against one of the toughest women in the sport. So what the fock does it matter how tough she is? All I know is I’m fockin’ tougher, and I don’t plan on losing this belt in me my fuckin’ lifetime. So take that for what it is.

FRANKLIN ROSETTI

It’s been touted that that she hates fighting in the clinch and has a basic ground game. Do you plan to use this against her? It seems like you’re comfortable fighting in close and on the ground, so I think we’re all really just wondering if you’re going to stand and bang this one out with her or look to exploit a potential weakness elsewhere?

DALLAS MEECHAN

What is with you fockin’ journalist askin’ me dumb shite like that. Why the fock would I tell ya’? Honestly? You wanna know my game plan, buy a fockin’ ticket.

[Franklin sits down, looking a bit defeated as a young woman stands up.]

MARSHA KANE

Marsha Kane, with Knees2Faces, There’s been some buzz about a potential fight with Delaney Donovan. Is he next? How do you feel about the potential for such a HUGE fight?

DALLAS MEECHAN

I would love ta’ get in the cage with Delaney, bang it out like brothers, both fightin’ for the biggest steak at the family dinner. But I don’t know if that’s in the future, I’m sure if you asked my agent Levi, he would love ta’ sign that fight because it’s a big-ticket - fockin’ fight. It’ll sell a lot of seats, make a lot of money for everyone involved. And I know he said he knew a certain Scottish lad, who could bang. And you know Playboy can definitely bang. If it’s in the works then lets fockin’ go, Scrapyard is the best gym in the game, and two fighters showing off how great we fockin’ are. Whats bad about that?

MARISHA KANE

So would you say you accept?

DALLAS MEECHAN

Let me deal with Gianna first, but fockin’ sure love. I accept.

[The audience tussles around for a while as reporters charge for the available mics. One guy is quicker than the rest and with a grin, asks away.]

TOMMY TOE HOLD

Hey guys, Tommy from MMA On Point. This question is for Gauge Lattimore. Gauge, you’ve skyrocketed to the top tier level of competition worldwide, and you’ve cashed in some big checks along the way. You’re continuing to build off a big win streak through Union GP and G2, and are up to face another big challenge that could cement yourself as being one of the best in this era to say the least. With all that said, I have to ask, how’s life treating you these days?

[Gauge’s ears perk up when his name is called. He re-positions himself in his chair to sit fully upright and really focus on deciphering the question through the crowd noise. He squints his eyes and flashes a smile, revealing his gold cap right incisor and directs the microphone in front of him a little closer.]

GAUGE LATTIMORE

It's hard to complain, man. If you told me I’d be sitting here in this position a little over a year ago when I made my debut in Triumph FC, I’d say you were crazy. But after that 0-2 start, I made a conscious effort to make every decision and every action I do throughout my day move me toward this goal. I didn’t stumble my way into this position, I worked my ass off. But it’s surreal to look at what I’ve accomplished since then. Beating a hall of fame legend like Danie Fisk not once, but twice to capture and defend the G2 Grand championship, win the Triple C Grand Prix and receive that five million dollar purse to put me here to face The Shooter, I’m living the American Dream. I’ve got a fat bank account, females flooding my DMs, big money fights left and right, the best agent in the game... I’m on top of the world right now.

TOMMY TOE HOLD

Quick follow up question. How has the training camp gone for this fight? Has there been any weight issues, any nagging injuries, or any other sort of roadblocks that might hinder your performance?

GAUGE LATTIMORE

Nah, nothing serious. Of course I’ve got the usual aches and pains, I’m hungry as fuck, but overall I’m healthy and firing on all cylinders. I feel like my body has adjusted properly with the weight cut, and over the last three camps we’ve developed a perfect routine to get me where I need to be, come fight night. This camp has focused almost solely on my striking, which is right up my alley, and work on defending and reading kicks. I don’t think y’all gonna see any world class jiu jitsu between me and Roscoe on Sunday.

[Gauge gives a slight chuckle as the next reporter stands ready.]

ALEX K. LEE

Good evening everybody. Alex K. Lee from MMA Fighting. Gauge, you have been in the main event at a Boss Fight show and got a taste of the limelight along with a big payday, but now you’re in the main event of a Union GP Supershow against one of the all-time greats. Does the added spotlight put anymore pressure on you?

GAUGE LATTIMORE

Any more pressure? Nah, I don’t think so. I focus my energy the same way with every fight. Doesn’t matter how many eyes are on me, whether it’s at a sold out Tokyo Dome in Japan, a sold out Tacoma Dome here in Washington, or in the closed doors gym in KC, I keep the same energy. My mentality is that, my next fight is the biggest fight in my career, so I’m constantly just trying to improve. One thing I have learned through this journey is don’t lose fear. When you no longer have fear inside the cage, you let your guard down and that’s when bad things happen.

[Gauge’s eyes are drawn to a rather animated reporter waving her hands wildly in the air to catch his attention.]

JENNA TAHLIA

Gauge, I have a question over here. Hi, Jenna Tahlia from 2 Gi’s 1 Cup. Your last 4 fights have gone the longest in your career. Have you noticed a step up in competition, and are you prepared to possibly go twenty five minutes with The Shooter? What’s the game plan going in?

GAUGE LATTIMORE

Yeah, there’s no question about it. No disrespect to the competition in G2 or in Everest, but the guys I’ve stepped up against in my last few fights have really pushed me to my limits. That’s how you grow as a fighter and as a person. I had to really dig deep against Reggie James and Lovelie Saint-Cyr and I feel like after walking away from those fights, I gained more experience in overcoming adversity and gained more knowledge in the fight game in general. As for Roscoe, I’m preparing for a war. As I’ve said before, I have all the respect in the world for the man, for what he’s accomplished and given to the sport. But don’t get it twisted either. When that cage door closes, I’m coming for his head. There’s no secret to what my strategy is. I’m firing out with reckless abandon and won’t stop until someone is lying unconscious on the mat.

[Gauge scans the crowd and sees another woman waiting patiently to be called on. He nods in her direction to give her the green light.]

KRISTIN KING

Hi, Gauge. Kristin King with Bloody Elbow. When you made the move up from Everest to Union, you officially were slotted in at heavyweight, yet all three of your fights thus far have been at cruiserweight. Hypothetically speaking, if you come up short against Roscoe Robinson this weekend, will you stay at cruiserweight, or finally start your journey at heavyweight?

GAUGE LATTIMORE

You know, when I first signed on with Everest MMA, I told Dante that I wanted to fight as much as possible. Whether it’s at heavyweight, cruiserweight, catchweight, or openweight. And that still rings true today. My mindset is solely on this fight right now, but I still want to compete wherever I can get a fight and make the most money. I don’t consider myself to be a mixed martial artist… I’m a prize fighter. Whoever agrees to a bout agreement and signs a contract, that’s where I’m going. Whether it’s here in Union or in G2, I’m chasing the bag above all else. And it’ll still ring true if I walk out with the cruiserweight strap. I’ll take a fight at heavyweight if Dante will allow it, I’ll fight at openweight and take Daniel Fisk down for a third time if I’m able to, and I’ll defend my G2 Grand Championship against anyone who wants the smoke. Plain and simple.

[The room gets silent for a bit, which is sort of unusual in this sort of setting but seems perfect for a certain big fellow sitting in a corner trying not to be noticed (even with his fucking 6’8” frame). Owen Barnes surveys the room and tries not to make eye contact with anyone. The man very few have seen or heard speak publicly is not one to like being in this sort of situation; on the contrary, his in-cage persona contrasts a lot with who he is outside of it and today it shows. Nevertheless, being in one of the three highest-profile fights for the night, fielding questions was something he knew he had to do at some point… and alas, finally someone got up to do so.]

???

Hey, Owen. Matthew Smith for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

[The mention of his local newspaper brought some light to Owen’s eyes and his shyness seemed to dissipate a bit following Smith’s presentation.]

MATTHEW SMITH

I was wondering if you feel somewhat overlooked?

[The mountain of a man leaned forward grabbing the microphone in front of him, not letting Smith follow his question with an explanation or anything. For the first time, the field got to hear Owen’s voice in public. It wasn’t a raspy voice or a really deep one… it was as normal of a voice as you could imagine, nothing was out of place and nothing was particularly funny… so some members of the UGP staff and even some fighters seemed perplexed by the fact that Owen didn’t talk more often, because there wasn’t anything “bad” about his voice.]

OWEN BARNES

How so?

[Smith got back on track and followed his question with as good of an explanation as he could give Owen.]

MATTHEW SMITH

I mean, people are barely talking about you and your name was even misspelled on the poster for this fight card. Do you feel like people are overlooking you?

[Owen turned around to look at the big poster behind them and, in fact… his name was misspelled as OWENS, when his surname was Barnes and his name is, in fact, Owen. A couple of fighters turned around too, just to take a glance and some had a light chuckle. Owen just put his head down, almost a bit ashamed. His ears turned red. As he composed himself he took a deep breath and proceeded to answer Smith’s question.]

OWEN BARNES

If they are overlooking me, that’s on them. To be fair to the production team, I’m not the most vocal fighter here; hell, I would’ve preferred not to be asked anything tonight. I just fight and that’s it. As a matter of fact, look at the fighters here today… I’m sure any of them would love nothing more than to have a microphone in front of them… a lot more than I would, that’s for sure. So that should explain to you why it might seem that I’m being overlooked or simply put, I’m not being heralded as a big name. But again, that’s on them.

[Smith settles back, but another journalist gets up from her chair and quickly asks a question for Barnes.]

???

Sophia Lovquist, Owen… up to this fight your career has been nothing short of impressive. If you could pinpoint one thing in your game that people don’t think you have but you feel is one of your best weapons; what would it be and why?

[Barnes seems to be having a somewhat hard time coming up with something as he moves his head in a rocking motion, almost as if he’s trying to reminisce about something very specific to answer the question.]

OWEN BARNES

If I could only pick ONE thing, it has to be my conditioning. You see, to this point in my career I haven’t had to resort to it in any of my previous fights. They have all ended well before the final bell and thus, I feel many people might dismiss that aspect of my game. Many might see me as just a power puncher with not much in terms of a gas tank, so fighters might think that if they’re able to push me and survive the early slugfest; getting me into “deep waters”, then they’re golden. So yeah, conditioning is that one thing many would overlook going into a fight with me.

[Owen surveys the field, trying to dissuade anyone from asking him any more questions. He seems to be eager to be done with this and his posture is that of someone who is uncomfortable as one could be with the amount of social interaction he’s having thus far. Yet, it wasn’t meant to be. His peace of mind gets interrupted once more as a random fan gets up to ask him a question.]

???

Hey! So… yeah… your opponent, Kennard Rozier, has been one of, if not THE most, successful champions in company history. Raking up defenses all over the place. You’re not even considered a top 10 fighter P4P by the promotion; which could bleed into the first question you were asked. My point is, what is one thing you feel you have over your opponent? What could be the key to you winning this fight?

[This time Barnes wasted no time at all, it was almost as if he was waiting for a question like this to pop up at some point. After all, he was about to fight for a title. The first time he would do so in his career; it was something he was prepared to talk about.]

OWEN BARNES

To be fair, there’s not much of a difference between the two of us. In terms of size, sure I have a couple of inches and a lot of pounds over him. But to be fair, the size is fairly similar. He has power, I have power. He’s athletic and I’m not… so that’s a point for him… not for me. I think this is a fairly even fight when you get to the nitty-gritty of it all; but if you literally force me to say one thing it might be pressure. I have no doubt Kennard can deal with it, and it might not become a factor come fight time… yet, I cannot help but to put myself in his shoes. Coming off of a loss against Roscoe Robinson, getting his #1 spot on the P4P ranking taken over… A bit of pressure could be on his shoulders and I get it, someone of his caliber and talent, with the number of wins he has in this division, surely deserves his spot and pressure comes with it. But IF anything might separate us, aside from him being more limber and mobile; which could be countered with my reach… that might have to be it, if at all. I’m sure it’ll be a good fight and one you won’t want to miss.

[Dallas’s shtick actually forces a chuckle out of his challenger, even as the so-called Ghost sat...not exactly taking this whole press conference thing especially seriously. In stark contrast her opponent this weekend, Gianna’s in a Throne MMA hoodie and jeans, her feet kicked up on the table in front of her, ankles crossed, and drumming against her thighs as people around her talk; despite her generally disruptive nature, though, Gianna doesn’t speak up until someone catches her attention--but once she’s brought back to reality, she swings her feet down to the floor and grabs the mic.]

GIANNA HOWARD

Just one second, bud.

[She holds up one finger, then glances down the line toward Dallas, smiling like a used car salesman.]

GIANNA HOWARD

Tell you what, I know you’ve talked about it for a few events now...you want that fight with Delaney so bad, I’ll make it easier on you--I’ll take the belt, free you up to jump to 155. Everybody wins!

[The sly little smirk that’s almost native to the Arizonian’s face forms as she turns to the reporter that waved her down in the first place.]

???

Gianna, Patrick Willis from FIGHT! Magazine--obviously, right out the gate, you’re never short on confidence, which leads me to one of my questions: ever since you signed with AWC earlier this year, you haven’t exactly been shy about your goal to hold both the Union Bantamweight Championship, as well as the AWC Flyweight Championship simultaneously.

[Despite having neither title yet, Gianna mimics having a belt over each shoulder, grabbing the strings of her hoodie as if they were the straps of either title.]

PATRICK WILLIS

Originally, you said you wanted to accomplish that by the end of the year, but with how things have played out, you have a chance to do both within...a matter of days of each other, really. So, I have 2 questions about that; first, do you feel like you’ve put extra pressure on yourself, going into this fight, with that goal, that prediction already made? Or is this par for the course for you?

GIANNA HOWARD

You want to know my thoughts on pressure? I think pressure makes diamonds.

[The cocky, “double-champ” act is dropped as quickly as it came, although Gianna’s self-aggrandizing attitude never really goes away--instead, she just smiles a Cheshire cat smile.]

GIANNA HOWARD

I mean, yeah, there’s definitely pressure. We’re literally going in there to beat the hell out of each other. But if I didn’t think I could pull this off, I wouldn’t be going for it. I wouldn’t be talking about it, I wouldn’t push myself toward it, I wouldn’t have put myself in a situation where I’m competing in multiple companies, training for multiple fights at the same time, preparing for separate opponents at the same time to get where I want to be. If I didn’t think I could do it, I’d sit back and wait and hope things work out for me. But that’s not me. I take multiple fights at a time, in different countries, for different promotions, because I refuse to be seen as anything less than the very best. I ran thru the Everest tournament at 115, I’ll run thru the AWC tournament at 125, and I’ve run thru every 135er Union’s thrown at me. This weekend’s no different than any other.

PATRICK WILLIS

Just a follow up, it seems like competing at two different weights, as often as you’ve been competing, against the kinds of fighters you’ve been competing against...I mean, it has to catch up to you eventually; how do you keep from burning out, or overtraining, with, as you say, multiple fights seemingly always on the horizon?

[Most people, normal people, might consider that a fair question--Gianna looks confused by it, though; possibly because she just spent a minute railing about her mentality, possibly because she’s just not a “normal people.” Either way, she shrugs her shoulders after a moment or two of consideration.]

GIANNA HOWARD

Because I know what I want.

[For a moment, she even leaves it at that; no follow up, no explanation, just six words and a shrug. But it’s only a moment, just long enough for her to spin the mic one time, before she continues her speech.]

GIANNA HOWARD

I want that belt...

[She gestures down the table, to the Bantamweight Championship currently sat in front of Dallas.]

GIANNA HOWARD

...and I want the AWC Flyweight Championship. And nothing less than both of those will be good enough.

[Gianna pauses for just a second to take a sharp breath, then proceeds.]

GIANNA HOWARD

So, I’ll do whatever I have to do to get them, pure and simple. I’ll fight whoever I have to fight to move forward, I’ll fight as often as I have to fight to move forward, but make no mistake--I’m not taking stupid fights, I’m not chasing fights I don’t care about, I’m certainly not interested in fights that don’t help my career. Like I said, I don’t sit around and wait and hope, I’m only interested in fights that push me toward a goal. Other people can worry about rematches because they “didn’t show up that night,” or whatever the hell. I’m only looking ahead. I took a fight that everyone else called “dangerous,” against Tim Vu, that was supposed to be me jumping way too far ahead, right? And what happened? I pretty easily beat number one in the rankings--now I’m number one, and I’m coming for what I want.

[Gianna takes a sip from her water bottle, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth before finishing her thought.]

GIANNA HOWARD

Dallas ain’t gonna give that belt up as long as he’s alive, huh? Then it looks like I’m Old Yeller-in’ a man this weekend, because I’m not going to settle for anything less than what I told myself I’d do. I’ll be a champion in both companies by the end of October, and nobody--not Dallas, not Guns, not nobody--is gonna stop me.

[The comparison actually takes Patrick by surprise, and his train of thought derails. He shakes the cobwebs out and takes a seat, replaced just as quickly by a young woman.]

???

To put it mildly, you can be very...opinionated, and you have no qualms telling people what you think about them.

[Gianna chuckles to herself, making a somewhat exaggerated shrug toward the woman.]

???

So, I’m curious, coming into this fight...what do you think? Do you feel there’s a hole in Dallas’s game?

GIANNA HOWARD

Don’t get it twisted, Ms...?

ANNIE LAWSON

Lawson, Annie Lawson.

GIANNA HOWARD

Annie--well, I don’t want you to think I don’t know what I’m in for. Dallas has looked fantastic in most of his fights.

[Gianna is, if nothing else, a master of the pause for effect, and she takes one for just a moment, letting the comment hang in the air for just a second.]

GIANNA HOWARD

The problem, for him, is he hasn’t faced anyone that prepares him for me. He’s mostly faced half-hearted strikers like Lauren Moore, and the last time he faced someone a little bit like me, in Lena Lyons, he burnt himself out in the first and got pushed around the cage for the best part of the rest of the fight...and, somehow, a few blind judges managed to pull his name out of the hat. Well, here’s a quick scoop for you: I’m more dangerous than Lena Lyons. He won’t get slow rounds with me, he won’t get a chance to breathe with me, when I start to push him around? It’s going to be off a cliff edge.

[That confident smirk from earlier? Yeah, it’s back. Gianna settles back in her seat, spinning her mic in her hand just a couple rotations.]

GIANNA HOWARD

Bar none, I’m the most dangerous challenger he’s faced. I’m not going to just stand there and throw half-ass punches like Moore, I’m not going to eat shots like Lena did, and I’m not going to give him what he wants and clinch up with him like Zari wanted to. This fight’s going to be on my terms, it’s going to play out how I want it to, and...I’m going to hit him over and over and over again, for five rounds or until he falls down.

ANNIE LAWSON

Perhaps the most effective tool, throughout your career thus far, is your ability as a counter-striker; Dallas is very much the kind of fighter that likes to go forward and push the pace, we’ve seen that in the past, so how do you think this match-up plays out?

GIANNA HOWARD

Is it too much to hope that he runs head-long into my shin and goes night-night right away?

[Despite The Ghost’s attitude toward the question, she glances down the table toward Dallas once again, just for a second, with her hands clasped, as if pleading for him to actually do it.]

GIANNA HOWARD

No, but seriously: I think a fight like this is tailor-made for me, I think I’m the worst kind of opponent for someone like Dallas. He’s going to come at me, and I’m going to make him pay for it, every single time. Someone asked a minute ago about maybe taking me down, trying to grind a fight down in the clinch, but...when people tried that, I beat them, too.

[Gianna stops her tirade for just long enough to take a swig from her water bottle.]

GIANNA HOWARD

I don’t think there’s anyone at 135 lbs that I can’t beat, from top to bottom. It was only a matter of time before I got my chance, whether it took two fights or ten; whether it was against Dallas or Zari or Lena or Moore or Tim or whoever. Now that it’s here, though? I’m not letting it slip. You asked how I think it plays out, I think it ends violently. I think I’ll knock him out early. Second round, third if he’s lucky.

[Annie sits back down, but it’s only a moment before another man on the other side of the room flags down the rising Bantamweight’s attention.]

GIANNA HOWARD

Shoot.

???

Connor Smith, MMAWorld.com, just a couple quick questions: as ever, Union put out the prediction polls on Twitter, and a good majority of people seem to disagree that this is a good fight for you. Almost two-thirds of the voters think Dallas retains the title this weekend...

[Before Connor can even get to his question, Gianna cuts him off.]

GIANNA HOWARD

If two-thirds of the people that voted in that poll want to be wrong, they can be wrong.

[Gianna very much exaggerates her shrug, seemingly unbothered by the idea--and unlike earlier, she doesn’t seem to be so inclined to continue her thought.]

CONNOR SMITH

Fair enough, I guess. This next question isn’t so much about this fight, specifically, so much as an overall feeling: news broke just recently that Throne’s founding mother, Marissa Kane, is stepping back into the cage over at AWC--with that announcement in mind, how has the atmosphere in the gym changed? And has it impacted your motivation going into this fight?

GIANNA HOWARD

To be completely honest?

[Gianna makes the most exaggerated shrug she can manage, almost managing to mimic the shrugging emoji in the process.]

GIANNA HOWARD

It hasn’t affected me one way or the other. Marissa can do whatever she wants, there’s plenty of people at Throne to get her ready. My main focus is always going to be on my career, on doing what I need to do. I’ll start worrying about everyone else’s fights when I’m not preparing for my own. But, right now? The only thing I’m thinking about is taking that belt this weekend. The only thing I care about is making sure it’s “And NEEEEEEEW!”

[Gianna rocks her head back, lifting her mic up like she’s about to do the whole dramatic announcement...then just drops straight back to looking over toward Connor with that same sly little smirk.]

GIANNA HOWARD

That’s it. That’s all I care about, that’s all I’m worried about. Everything else can wait.

[The attention of the room shifts from one side to the other as a voice calls out with a question.]

FRANKLIN ROSETTI

Franklin Rosetti, with All In The Clinch Media and this one’s for you, Roscoe.

[A little distant from everyone else, The Shooter sits quietly with the UGP Cruiserweight Championship resting on the table in front of him facing everyone.]

FRANKLIN ROSETTI

Roscoe, this is your fourth title defense coming up against Gauge Lattimore, is there anything different that you’re doing to prepare for this fight compared to previous opponents?

ROSCOE ROBINSON

No doubt, just like every other fight, and that’s not to take anything away from Gauge when I say that. He’s a hell of a fighter, but every opponent requires a little something different when it comes to training for a fight against them. No two fighters are exactly alike, but Gauge is really different though. Training has been very intense going into this fight, it’s going to be a slugger. You’ve all seen what he can do in and out of UGP. I’ve seen it. We all saw him run through the entire Triple C Tournament to get in this spot today. It’s going to be war inside of that cage, a lot of bombs launched by both of us and I wouldn’t expect anything less from the man.

KRISTIN KING

Bloody Elbow here and we have a question that has been on everyone’s mind at the office for nearly the entire year. Your last defense was October of last year, it has been eleven months since you last defended the Cruiserweight Championship. In your first championship reign you won it, defended it five times and then lost it in less than eleven months. Is there a reason you haven’t been defending the championship?

ROSCOE ROBINSON

As a matter of fact there is, but it ain’t my fault. Rewind to the beginning of the year when the Triple C Tournament was announced. Aside from one or two people that I already defended against, some multiple times, I guess nobody really stood out but I was told the company didn’t have one person they felt was the true number one contender. That’s when I voiced my opinion to management about the situation and they agreed to let me announce the Triple C Tournament to find that contender while also putting a few fights under the belts of the new signees.

KRISTIN KING

Eleven months is a lo--

[Roscoe quickly throws his hand up before interrupting her.]

ROSCOE ROBINSON

I know and you’re absolutely right, but I don’t book the fights. The tournament was set into motion and while that was going on, you all got to see me dust Pluggz. Fast forward a few months and here we are with Gauge standing across the cage from me with the championship on the line. Believe me, TRUST, I would have loved to have had a fight or two thrown in early in the year but it’s out of my hands. I’ve done a lot in the cruiserweight division, more than anyone else and more championship defenses than anyone else in the entire company. Give me more fights, I want it! I’ve been on top of the division going on two years but I want more than just that. I don’t give a damn what division you’re in, I just want to fight and make a few dollars doing it.

KRISTIN KING

One point five million is more than a few dollars.

ROSCOE ROBINSON

And there’s your answer on why I would LOVE to have more fights on my plate. Next question!

TOMMY TOE HOLD

Over here…

[Roscoe immediately turns his head in the direction of Tommy’s voice before Kristin can respond.]

TOMMY TOE HOLD

So now we have Hit Squad with you, Donnie, LSC and some others. What was the reason that you all decided to leave Real Killas.

ROSCOE ROBINSON

Ehh, I don’t know, it’s like Real Killas just got real lame there towards the end. This is something that me and Donnie wanted to do last year but instead it went down three months ago. Things just got different after a while. We just felt that it was better for us to do our own thing without the producer always dancing in the video. So we broke away and did us. I can’t tell you that they did, they been ghost ever since. As you can see, we made the right move and we have a strong foundation at Hit Squad with more freedom to be ourselves.

ALEX K. LEE

Win or lose, where do you see yourself going in UGP after the fight with Lattimore?

ROSCOE ROBINSON

That’s a conversation to have after the fight. I’m not looking past him right now. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. I’m looking at what’s in front of me now and then reacting to it after. Like I said earlier, I just want to fight, just put my ass in the cage and let me do what I do best. There ain’t going to be anything left of me or Lattimore after this fight with all the bombs we’re dropping inside of that cage. Tacoma is going to get leveled before we’re finished fighting.

ALEX K. LEE

Leveled?

ROSCOE ROBINSON

And that’s on God…

[Roscoe briefly looks up before turning back to Alex.]

ROSCOE ROBINSON

The one up there, not the vanishing Openweight Champion.

[With a wink, Roscoe leans back in his seat and takes a drink from his Monster Energy he strategically holds up with the logo presented front and center for the world to see. After the commotion dies down, it appears that the reporters have gained all the quotable content they need to draw up their final articles, so Dante Reed takes the mic to close things up.]

DANTE REED

Is that everybody? Alright ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming out here tonight. We'll see you Sunday! Good Night!

[After the relatively calm and collected press conference comes to a close, the PA system kicks back in and everyone on the main stage begins filing out, as the feed slowly fades out.]