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CORMIER ON JOHNSON’S VICTORY: “THE WAY JOHNSON SOFTENED REIS UP WAS SURGICAL. HE WAS SO EFFICIENT.”
Stann on Johnson Being the Best of All Time: “I don’t think we’ve ever seen anyone as technically proficient as Johnson. And I’ve watched all the tape.”
Los Angeles – The following quotes and videos are from tonight’s FOX UFC FIGHT NIGHT POSTFIGHT SHOW on FS1 hosted by Todd Grisham, with Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz providing analysis. Megan Olivi conducted interviews.
FOX UFC analyst Daniel Cormier on Demetrious Johnson vs. Wilson Reis: “Early in the fight, Wilson tried to take the fight to Demetrious, but he realized he was in there with the man. Demetrious slowly started to beat him up. Slowly and slowly, he got it. The timing of DJ’s takedowns are the best. DJ outclassed that man today. The way that he softened him up was surgical. He was so efficient. It’s like he’s moving at another speed.”
FOX UFC analyst Brian Stann on if Johnson is the best of all time: “In my eyes he is. I don’t think we’ve ever seen anyone as technically proficient as him. And I’ve watched all the tape. To stay this focused and this dedicated this long is unheard of. It has taken time to get the respect from the fans. Finally, this crowd, he owned it tonight.”
FOX UFC analyst Dominick Cruz on Johnson vs. Reis: “Johnson fought a perfect fight tonight. He was landing the combinations, then circled to the weak side, so there’s no way Reis can counter. He then picked him apart slowly.”
Demetrious Johnson on his confidence against Wilson Reis: “You guys see, it but I don’t see it. He’s a tough fighter. I’m really appreciative he gave me the opportunity to fight him.”
Johnson on his game plan against Reis: “I give it all to my coaches. First they wanted me to bust him up. Then, once I felt comfortable in there, they said to go for it.”
Johnson on tying the record for most title defenses and being considered one of the best ever: “It’s an honor, I’m going to stay humble, get better, stay healthy and finish the next fight.”
Johnson on staying humble: “It’s very important. I’ve been a champion since 2012. Once champion thinks he’s the best, that’s when you get your loss. But I still keep asking my coaches how I can get better. I’m happy. I’m a humble guy. My fighting does the talking.”
VIDEO: Interview: Johnson on his 10th successful title defense
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDnllcwQUKA
VIDEO: Highlights: Johnson vs. Reis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAI7F8rSTRs
Cruz on how Rose Namajunas beat Michelle Waterson: “You were using your range. You said you could inflect more damage than her and you showed it. You were making reads on her and transitioning so well in the clinch and on the ground.”
Stann on Namajunas’ improvement: “Every time she loses, look how she responds. She learns a tremendous amount after each fight. This was her tenth pro fight. Look at how she’s performed.”
Cormier on if Namajunas earned a title fight tonight: “We said that in order for her to earn a title fight with just a one-win streak, you have to look phenomenal, and she did tonight. She earned the title shot.”
Rose Namajunas on if she used her size and grappling in the fight like she wanted: “I was cool standing with her. In her last fight, she was defensive with kicks and then took it to the ground. We’ve made my striking lethal and it showed tonight.”
Namajunas on how she focused on this fight: “I’m always focused on me. Sometimes you get wrapped up in other people’s opinions, but you have to build yourself up.”
Namajunas on why she cried after winning the fight: “My whole life has been leading up to this. My last loss was difficult for me, but I got tougher. Then I had a training camp with Valentina Shevchenko and that made me tougher, too.”
Namajunas on if she’d like to fight either Joanna Jedrzejczyk or Jessica Andrade after their title fight: “I match up with either really well. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.”
VIDEO: Highlights: Waterson vs. Rose Namajunas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CefsiXUXJXY
VIDEO: Interview: Namajunas on her victory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHbFzNInFiA
UFC president Dana White on Demetrious Johnson: “After the fight, I heard DJ ask his coach what he did wrong? What did you do wrong? Nothing, you just fought a perfect fight. He continues to evolve. He absolutely demolished him. He arm-barred a Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion. The kid is amazing.”
White on if Johnson should move up to bantamweight and challenge Cody Garbrandt: “Cody has not title defenses yet. If I’m Johnson, I break the record for title defenses and smash it so bad it’ll never be broken. And if someone gets some wins at bantamweight, then maybe I’d think of a super fight.”
White on if Namajunas’ win was enough for a title shot: “Rose came out and looked like an absolute stud. She looked incredible. I think she’s ready to challenge for the title. I think Rose learned a lot from her last loss and showed what she’s all about tonight.”
White on Robert Whittaker’s defeat of Jacare Souza: “I’ve been very high on him for a long time. I said this whole fight was going to be determined by the first clinch, and Robert got out of trouble early and did a literally flawless fight against Jacare.”
VIDEO: Dana White Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYXEn9oKXe8
VIDEO: Highlights: Jacare Souza vs. Robert Whittaker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR15iIiJukQ
VIDEO: Highlights: Tom Duquesnoy vs. Patrick Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvduyODn0Co
Follow the talent on Twitter at: @GrishamMMA @DominickCruz @DC_MMA @MeganOlivi @FS1 @UFConFOX
