The UFC and the fighters included on the UFC 278 card this weekend had a very interesting media day on Wednesday. We got to see some hard-fought talk mixed in with some talk about doing homework and everyone’s favorite topic, fighter pay. Regardless though, we left the media round-up feeling we are in for something special this coming Saturday.
The headline of the media event of course would end up being Luke Rockhold, who we will get to, but we also heard from Jose Aldo, Paulo Costa, Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards to name a few. The names are all here for a fun card this weekend, at least on the main card. They all seem primed to put on a show if what they said at media day was any indication.
Leon Edwards Doesn’t See Kamaru Usman as the Pound-for-Pound King
"I just don't see it": Leon Edwards isn't sold on Kamaru Usman as No. 1 pound-for-pound. 👀#UFC278 | Full interview: https://t.co/vGVihAlwhx pic.twitter.com/M3Ze8CNdG6
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 17, 2022
“All this pound-for-pound, and all this, I don’t see it. I didn’t feel it in the first fight, I don’t see it in his techniques, I just don’t see it you know? He’s a very good fighter, I am not going into this fight blind this time thinking he is just a wrestler.”
Merab Dvalishvili Doesn’t Care about Petr Yan versus Sean O’Malley
.@MerabDvalishvil doesn't care who wins Petr Yan vs. Sean O'Malley: "They both suck." 😅#UFC278 | Full video: https://t.co/FITmhnHtxW pic.twitter.com/4abXgffJX4
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 17, 2022
“Sugar Sean O’Malley and Petr Yan, I don’t care, I don’t care, they both suck.”
Luke Rockhold Steals the Show Discussing Fighter Pay and the UFC’s Tactics
Luke Rockhold just *went off* on UFC fighter pay, bonus structure and health care at #UFC278 media day. 🗣️
Full interview: https://t.co/NMbP4pBgRZ pic.twitter.com/mQkka2PPDj
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 17, 2022
“I am here to fight, I am not saying anything that’s not real, everything is justified and truthful. Just because I should be in a position of power before I say this s***, f*** off, I have nothing to lose. I don’t need this business, I love fighting, I love fighting the best…this just happens to be the place that is done. The company is growing and implementing these little bonuses, five thousand dollars here, five thousand dollars there, fifty thousand dollars man.”
“Back when GSP fought Jake (Shields) what was it a hundred thousand? When Lorenzo and Frank were running the show there was real, grounding wire. These new guys they don’t know what they are doing…they are letting Dana (White) run the show and suppress the sport.”
“Our lives are on the f****** line, healthcare needs to be taken care of, our f******* health needs to be taken care of, mine has not been taken care of…there are a lot of things that need to be changed and I am just not gonna be cared to say it.”
Paulo Costa Confident in Weight Cut this Week
"Somebody want to bet?" Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) just GUARANTEED he will make weight Friday for #UFC278.
Full interview: https://t.co/sUZn3sawUV pic.twitter.com/LRY4DCnIo6
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 17, 2022
“I guarantee, you want to bet? I want to bet. I could make the weight tonight, somebody want to bet?”
Kamaru Usman Remains Humble Despite Leon Edwards’ Claims
Kamaru Usman (@USMAN84kg) denies Leon Edwards' claim that fame has got to him.
"If he's thinking that … it'll be a short night for him."#UFC278 | Full interview: https://t.co/WnlgClpBxh pic.twitter.com/QZkOpcH4z6
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 18, 2022
“Guess what? When I was in college eating five dollar Little Caesar’s pizza and surviving off that for two days and eating ramen noodles for the whole week you know what I did? I dreamt of working to where I don’t have to do that anymore. I could walk into any steakhouse and order whatever I want.”
Jose Aldo Eyes Title Fight with Win this Weekend
Jose Aldo plans to beat Merab Dvalishvili then meet his teammate Aljamain Sterling for the belt 🏆 #UFC278 | Full interview: https://t.co/nLoMwO0Cb9 pic.twitter.com/RXJgRBBpIl
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 18, 2022
“Yes, surely, I actually think I should be fighting for the title…if I win this fight I believe I am fighting for the title.”
