UFC 112 open media workout: images & quotes
Demain Maia and Renzo Gracie Anderson Silva’s dad BJ Penn working himself into a pre-fight rage Another game face We know…
Demain Maia and Renzo Gracie
Anderson Silva’s dad
BJ Penn working himself into a pre-fight rage
Another game face
We know
Here’s what the fighters had to say:
RENZO GRACIE
I consider Abu Dhabi my second home. I spend a lot of time in this beautiful country and couldn’t feel more proud to be fighting here this Saturday. This is a big moment for me in my career. I love everything about Abu Dhabi – the heat, the humidity, the people, the food, everything.
I have worked very hard in preparation for this fight. Five months ago I was a little chubby and needed to train hard, and this fight has given me so much incentive. I’ve been waiting for this fight for nearly six months now and it’s nearly here. I love this sport and I love to train and then fight. None of this is hard or tough for me. I want to keep doing this for the rest of my life. I think it’s just in my genetics. Mixed martial arts is the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about before falling asleep.
This week my wife looked at me and said, ‘You should continue doing this (MMA) for the rest of your life, because it makes you so happy and such fun to be around’. She said that I was better with the kids and better with her when I was preparing for a fight. The idea of fighting makes me a better man.
The personal aspect to this fight definitely spices things up a little. Matt Hughes has fought and beaten two of my guys. He’s beaten my cousin and he’s beaten Matt Serra. Even though I love Hughes a lot and he’s a great guy, I’m definitely looking to avenge those defeats. I personally think he lost to Matt Serra and that the judges gave the wrong decision at the end of it.
I’ve had the opportunity to see Hughes grow as a competitor over the years. I’ve watched him develop from just a pure sport-wrestler to a well-rounded mixed martial artist. I have a lot of respect for the guy’s fighting ability and his achievements. I admire his work ethic and his longevity. He’s been dominant for a very long time and has had to work hard to get where he is right now.
I’ve always wanted to fight Matt Hughes. I used to always watch him fight and like the idea of one day matching up against him. To fight Hughes in the UFC and to do it in Abu Dhabi is just a dream come true for me.
When you look at the number of fights we’ve both had then, yes, Matt Hughes appears to be the more experienced fighter. However, when you look at how much fighting experience we have in general, it’s a different story. I’ve been doing this since I was five-years-old. I was in my father’s locker room when he went out and fought. I have grown up amongst fighters my whole life. Matt Hughes can fight his whole lifetime and he’ll still never be able to achieve the knowledge that I have.
I can never guarantee victory. All I can say is this: I’ll come out of this fight a better fighter, better instructor and a better man.
FRANKIE EDGAR
I wouldn’t say I’ve trained any harder for this fight, simply because I train hard for each and every fight. I treat all my fights like championship bouts. The moment you start to looking past an opponent is the point where you come unstuck. I always picture myself fighting the world champion.
It’s very important to be mentally strong for a fight like this. You can prepare yourself physically, but if you fail in the mental side of things, it will all come undone. I’m fighting a world champion and a great fighter in BJ Penn. I’m not about to get overawed, though. I know what I’m here to do.
I’ve trained with a blueprint in my head and an idea of what I want to do but, at the same time, we’ve also got a plan B, C and D if things don’t work out. We’ve got all our angles covered in this fight.
I’m not putting anyone on a pedestal or building him (Penn) up into something. I’m treating BJ like BJ. He’s got it all and is dangerous in all facets of the game, especially his stand-up. Everybody knows that I’m well aware of his strong jab and his powerful right hand. He’s known as one of the greatest fighters of all-time for a reason. He can do it all as a fighter and is a role model to many young guys coming up.
DEMIAN MAIA
It is no secret that I will try and use my jiu-jitsu to win the fight. I always try and use my jiu-jitsu to win fights. That’s my favourite method of securing victory. This fight with Anderson is no different. He is the best fighter in the world, but that doesn’t change my mindset or gameplan going into the fight. I will still look to take him down and submit him.
In order to actually take Anderson down, I’ve been working a lot on my wrestling and my takedowns. I know what to do once we get on the floor, but I need to give myself the best opportunity of taking him there. That’s why I’ve spent a lot of time improving my wrestling.
I’ve been working on keeping my distance and knowing when I’m in and out of striking range. Striking isn’t just about kicking and punching. It’s far more complex than that. It’s also about timing and range. You can’t lose concentration when you get in range, otherwise you’ll get caught with something and knocked out. You definitely can’t take those kind of risks against someone like Anderson.
Although I stood a lot against Miller, my main style and passion will always be jiu-jitsu. That is my favourite method of fighting and it is something that will be important in this fight. I know my jiu-jitsu is good enough to beat the best guys in the world. I need to improve my striking and my wrestling, but I will always be best at jiu-jitsu. That doesn’t meant I don’t work my jiu-jitsu, either. I am always looking to improve all aspects of my game.