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UFC Weigh-in on FUEL TV Show Quotes – 11/9/12
Rich Franklin: “I have a lot of things to worry about in this fight.” Cung Le: I’m not worried about him. It’s about what I’m going to do.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – The following quotes are from today’s UFC Weigh-in on FUEL TV for UFC ON FUEL TV 6: FRANKLIN VS. LE. The show was hosted by Karyn Bryant, with UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz and middleweight Brian Stann offering analysis. Longtime British MMA Journalist Gareth A Davies conducted fighter interviews.
“UFC Weigh-in Show on FUEL TV” Analyst Brian Stann on Rich Franklin: “I think we can expect a classic fight from him. He comes at you from a lot of different angles, and throws a big punch. He needs to close the distance so Le can’t throw his big kicks.”
“UFC Weigh-in Show on FUEL TV” Analyst Dominick Cruz on what Cung Le needs to do to win the fight: “He needs to keep his footwork going. He uses range better than anyone. He needs to use his boxing to set up his kicks and keep from getting taken down.”
Cruz on what Franklin needs to do to be successful: “He needs to weather the storm at the start. Cung comes out very fast. Rich needs to threaten the takedown any time Le throws a spin and negate those moves.”
Stann on how important Franklin’s experience is in the fight: “I use to argue that it didn’t matter. Once you got in the fight, you’re in it. But I’ve learned it does matter. Rich has been in a lot of fights. He knows how to win fights in the trenches and how to fight hurt. Cage experience is a big factor tomorrow for Franklin.”
Rich Franklin on how many countries he’s fought in: “I think this is the eighth country, seventh with the UFC, that I’ve fought in. What we’re doing is expanding the market to new people. I guess I do a good job explaining it to new people.”
Franklin on if he likes fighting in other countries: “There are pros and cons to being on the road. It takes you out of the daily stuff, like having to mow the grass, and not worrying about those things and just training. I don’t mind being on the road. As long as you have good food, you don’t have to worry about the nutrition and eating. I finished my training in Singapore. So the time zone here isn’t a problem. We’re ready to go.”
Franklin on how he’ll handle Le, especially after he’s lost to other southpaws: “He’s a southpaw. I’ve had problems with other southpaws, not because they’re southpaws, but because they’re good fighters. So I have to show that. He’s very tricky, but orthodox. You don’t know if he’s coming with a spinning back fist or a spinning kick. You don’t know what’s coming. But the key is pattern recognition. His stuff isn’t pretty. He’s broken an arm in a fight. I have a lot of things to worry about in this fight.”
Cung Le on the importance of fighting in the first fight in China: “It’s very important for me. I’ve done so much to get my foot ready. I’ve done Eastern and Western medicine, including bloodletting. I think it’s 100 percent. We’ll find out tomorrow night.”
Le on facing Franklin: “It’s an honor to face him. He’s big and strong. I’m not worried about him. It’s about what I’m going to do.”
Le on if this fight will help grow the sport in Asia: “Look at the card. It’s really stacked. If the fights go the way they should, the explosion will begin right away.”
Stann on Le’s advantage in the fight: “It’s his unorthodox striking style that gives him an advantage. Both of these guys are capable of knocking out each other. Cung’s spinning back fist or an unorthodox kick could catch Franklin.”
Cruz on his biggest concern with Le: “He’s used to three-minute rounds [from his kickboxing]. But this will be five five-minute rounds. It’s about timing, speed and footwork. But those things go away if you’re not in shape.”
Cruz on what Thiago Silva needs to do to win against Stanislav Nedkov: “He needs to stay fundamentally sound. Nedkov throws power. Silva needs to counter that power. Time it, eat it and look for the counter.”
Stann on Silva vs. Nedkov: “Silva’s looking for a big win. Nedkov is a national wrestler. I think Nedkov needs to go back to his roots, take Silva down and use his power on top of him. That may not happen. Nedkov might just stand and fight. This fight could be fireworks.”
Cruz on what Nedkov needs to do to win: “The biggest question is will Nedkov wrestle? If he does, he’ll make it a long night for Thiago.”
Thiago Silva on if he’s been able to prepare for Nedkov and study his style: “He’s fought my friend, so I’ve watched him in fights. He’s a good wrestler with heavy hands. I’m going to do my best. Everyone knows my style. I like to be aggressive. I’ll move a little more and fight faster this time. You’ll see a little different Thiago. I’m ready to fight. It’s a great opportunity. My division is the hardest. I try to do my best always.”
Cruz on Takanori Gomi vs. Mac Danzig: “Gomi and Danzig are seasoned fighters. Gomi has the edge standing. But Danzig is in great condition and will grind down Gomi.”
Stann on Takanori Gomi vs. Mac Danzig: “I think Danzig is the technically superior fighter in this one.”
“UFC Weigh-in Show on FUEL TV” Reporter Gareth A Davies on the canceled fight: “We have breaking news. Hyun Gyu Lim is out of the fight. The doctors wouldn’t let him go to the weigh-in. But his opponent, David Mitchell has been asked to stay ready.”
Stann on what he wanted to see at the Weigh-in: “I wanted to see Tiequan Zhang come out. He needs a big performance at this fight. He’s the only Chinese fighter in the UFC and has a lot of pressure on him to do well in his home country.”
For a complete listing of FUEL TV shows, go to: http://www.fuel.tv/schedule. For more information, go to www.fuel.tv/ufc and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/fueltv. Follow @FUELTV on Twitter for all things #RudeAwakening.
Follow the talent on Twitter at: @jayglazer; @KarynBryant; @Jon_Anik; @kennyflorian; @TheDomin8r; @BrianStann; @GarethADaviesDT
