UFC 136 which takes place Saturday at The Toyota Center in Houston is one of the most stacked cards of the year. Featured in the main event is a title fight between UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. The co-main event is also a title fight between UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and Kenny Florian. Rounding out the main card are top contenders Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann, as well as Melvin Guillard against Joe Lauzon.
Today the UFC held their Pre-Fight Press Conference and the highlights are below…
Frankie Edgar
• I don’t think he’s has my number, if he won last time, then I might say he has my number. But, I’m going to win this time and put that to rest.
• I knew Gray was a great fighter. He’s got a lot of ability and a lot of skills. He came with the heat and really put the pressure on me in that first-round. His ability to last all five rounds, it was a testament to his determination and toughness.
Gray Maynard
• I feel god, I’m prepared. I’m not all, “I don’t know if I did this right, I don’t know if I did that right.” I’m good, and now it’s time to have fun
• It’s been a long time. Couture was the last (Champion at Xtreme Couture). Long road, you know. It’s a team thing, so it will be cool.
• Hes a tough kid ya know. I mean, he came back off that first-round and even I was amazed.
Jose Aldo
• I think he looked about the same (in his debut) at 145 as he did at 155. I’m just hoping to go out there and keep the pressure on him.
• I was a lot heavier for that fight (against Mark Hominick). Over here in Houston is a lot hotter than in Toronto so it’s a lot easier to cut the weight. My coach has been on me this week about making the weight cut easier.
Kenny Florian
• It’s going to be a tough fight. Aldo is dangerous. I expect it’s going to be a bloody fight and I might leave there bloody, but I’m going to leave with the belt.
• I don’t really see (this as my last stand). I am fortunate that I love the sport and love going to the gym everyday. I love the challenges. I want to compete against the best guys and that’s what I have here on Saturday night. This has been an excellent camp and I want to go out there and get it done.
Chael Sonnen
• Nobody wants to fight Brian Stann. I’m not the only guy and that’s not a big secret. But, our paths are going to cross and that’s the way it goes.
• I think ring rust is a real thing. But, I’ve accepted it and I’m going to have to deal with it.
• I’m out trying to pick a fight. I’ve been after Anderson for some time. And I’ve got a beef with everyone in the back that wants a title shot. I’ve never told Dana I want a title fight, I say I want the title. I’m not scared of that guy, and I’m not going to apologize to that guy. I do appreciate what the Brazilian people said and a lot of (what I said) was said in good fun, but the bottom line is I’m poking my finger in Anderson’s chest, I’m looking to pick a fight and I’m not going to stop.
• It doesn’t feel like all that long to me. I got put in time out for a while and I’ll deal with it. That’s the way it goes, you shake it off and you come back. The next fight is always the next fight and you wait for it. I’m not the only one, Frankie and Gray have been out for ten months too. I’ve never been the victim, I’m not going to complain. I’ll take what comes and deal with it to the best of my ability.
• I don’t know that I got to break him, we’re just going to go out and fight, he’ll bring his skills, I’ll bring mine and then we’ll shake hands when its over. Regardless of what we say or feel, I’ll make that walk and when that guy in the shark suit gets out of the ring and the guy with the dreadlocks says fight, I will.
• I think there’s always doubts. There is no position in the octagon that I’m comfortable in. Everyday I try to get better. There’s always doubts, that’s part of it. What fun would this be if it wasn’t all on the line? I love adversity, I love going to the ring hurt or sick and trying to find a win anyway. I saw the ride and I bought a ticket anyway, I don’t care.
Brian Stann
• Fortunately, I started working on my wrestling quite a bit two years ago. And its probably been the heaviest part of my training camp for the last two years. And I don’t have to out wrestle him out there, but people forget, I even went back to my bout agreement and checked, I can punch in this fight.
• When I watch his last couple fights, the guys he fought against really believed in what they were good at and they didn’t train for him. Even the fights he lost, he was beating guys up and he got caught while beating them up. I think I’m the best prepared fighter he’s faced and I hit harder. There’s not unwinnable fights. It’s not always about who’s the best fighter is, it’s about who’s better on that given night.
• I think there’s a rhythm to fighting and I’ll have an advantage mentally but with his wrestling, he’ll be ready. I don’t expect ring rust to be a factor. I expect Chael to go out and do what he does. We’re gonna fight for the entire 15 minutes and we’re not gonna stop hitting each other until the last bell rings.
