Uriah Hall: MMA Media doesn’t pay attention to things that matter

Uriah Hall spoke during the UFC Fight Night 99 media day, ahead of his main event fight Saturday night with Gegard Mousasi. The media-shy fighter wonders what the headline will be.

Unfortunately, the media is terrible at their job to boost your confidence, said Hall to Mike Bohn for MMAjunkie. I just can’t wait to see the headline of this conversation and what it will be. But it’s a part of life. You fall down and you get back up. Unfortunately, my line of work is in the limelight. I’m on stage. I’m constantly being viewed, and as sad as it is, I’m one of those guys I would rather just show up and fight. I hate this bulls***. I’m just doing it so I won’t get fined, Marshawn Lynch.

[If I had a choice] I would never talk to the media, ever. I don’t care about money, man. For me, I care more about helping kids. When I’m off not training I’m help helping kids. The s*** that y’all motherf***ers don’t see. The s*** that y’all don’t pay attention too. That’s the real stuff. That’s what I pay attention too. Money comes and goes. I’m not here forever. I’m trying to set a path for the next generation. That’s my passion. I can’t rely on money or materialistic things. That’s why I’m different.

Saturday’s fight is a rematch. Hall won the first one via spinning back kick and jump knee. Mousasi termed it a fluke, and long campaigned for a rematch.

I’m sure he lost a lot of sleep and it terrifies him to be knocked unconscious almost by a guy like me that’s not even ranked and all that stuff,” said Hall. “I’m sure that caused him to say, ‘How is this possible? I’m supposed to beat this guy.’ That’s the cool thing about MMA: You just never know what’s going to happen. It’s a good opportunity for me to grow and climb back that rank and it’s an opportunity for him to get revenge. He’s taking a risk, he’s gambling, but when opportunity knocks at your door you just kick that s*** in.

Since the Mousasi win, Hall lost a decision to Robert Whittaker and was KOed in the first by Derek Brunson. In contrast, Mousasi is on a three-fight win streak, and the #5 ranked contender at middleweight. Hall is ranked #10.

I did wake his ass up after my last fight,” said Hall. “Because after my last fight he’s not messing around. So I expect Gegard to come at with me with his best.

He’s going to have the crowd. I like that adversity. It’s in his home town. The odds are supposed to be against me, but all bets are off when you’re in the cage. Statistics, opinions. It doesn’t really matter, and that’s what makes me dangerous because you never know which Uriah’s going to show up.