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FLORIAN ON COWBOY VS. COWBOY: “ALEX HAS TO MAKE IT A BRAWL.”
Cerrone on his slow starts: “I just pray to god he doesn’t start fast.”
Cormier on Cerrone: “Donald has to start a little faster and can’t let Oliveira set the pace. He has to impose his will on Oliveira.”
LOS ANGELES – UFC TONIGHT hosts Daniel Cormier and Kenny Florian break down the upcoming FS1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT: COWBOY VS. COWBOY and catch up with Donald Cerrone before his Sunday headliner. They also sit down with welterweight champion Robbie Lawler to discuss what’s next with him. Karyn Bryant and Ariel Helwani add reports.
UFC TONIGHT host Daniel Cormier on preparing for his fight with Jon Jones: “This is the one we’ve been waiting for – me and my camp. We’ve gotten back to this place. At UFC 197 on April 23, the universe corrects itself and I can’t wait for it.”
UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs. Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira: “This is Oliveira’s sixth fight in 12 months. He has a great right hand. He’s tall and lanky. He’s doing best when he’s moving forward. He has to be aggressive and pressure Donald. Donald does very well fighting from the outside, so Alex has to make it a brawl. But Cerrone is best when he’s moving forward. He’s an offensive fighter. He has to be leading the dance. He has to pursue the finish like he always does.”
Cormier on what Oliveira needs to do against Cerrone: “Alex is a guy who loves to fight. He’s a very good fighter. He doesn’t have the wrestling background, but he’s very powerful and is going to try to get in your face and land combinations. He has a chance to make a statement with this fight. Donald has to start a little faster and can’t let Oliveira set the pace. He has to impose his will on Oliveira. He gets in trouble when he’s being pursued.”
Florian on Cerrone’s keys to victory: “What he’s known for are his dangerous kicks. His first key is when he’s applying constant pressure is when he’s at the best. Key number two is to avoid the clinch. Key three is to throw the kicks. He needs to keep Alex on the outside and then go upstairs with the kicks.”
Cormier on Oliveira keys to victory: “This is a big step up for him. Key number one is he has to use range. He’s a big guy and he has to keep Cerrone on the outside. Key two is to use footwork. He can’t be where Cerrone thinks he is and needs to use good head movement to get in and out of the way. Lastly, he’s got to land the takedowns. He doesn’t have the background of the wrestler, but he should get it to the ground where he has the best opportunity to get the job done.”
VIDEO: Strikezone: Daniel Cormier and Kenny Florian break down Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone vs. Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on how he wins: “Go out there and have fun. This is a fun fight for me. I just need to come forward and fight. My weight’s good. I’m fat, happy and need to have a good time.”
Cerrone on what he should have done in his last fight: “I should have been doing some liver ups. There’s no excuses, I didn’t show up. I lost the title. And I lost a great fight with Conor McGregor. But what can you do?”
Cerrone on how he deals with starting slow in fights: “I don’t. I just pray to god he doesn’t start fast. I have no idea how to deal with it. I haven’t found the secret yet. Maybe Sunday I’ll have the secret recipe here in Pittsburgh.”
Cerrone on how long he plans on fighting at welterweight: “I have no idea. They asked me to take a fight against Tarec Saffiedine at 170. That’s why I moved up a weight class. Then it changed to Tim Means and that didn’t work. Now I’m fighting a 155er here at 170. If they called me in two weeks, I’d still fight. It doesn’t matter. I’m here to make money.”
VIDEO: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone Interview
Robbie Lawler on how he ended his fight with Carlos Condit: “He’s tough. I wanted to put a stamp on the fifth round. I wanted to get in his face.”
Lawler on if he gets worried about judges’ decisions: “You’re always worried about leaving it in the judges’ hands. But I give it my all and I’ll always let it all hang out.”
Lawler on if fighting so many five-round fights has taken a toll: “Not really. I just get back to work, ease back to my training. I’m always working on new things. I don’t look in the past, I look at how I can get better.”
Lawler on if he faces Tyron Woodley next, how will he train with the same team: “I’ll just be professional. I’ll hide out in a room where no one can watch. I won’t have the same training partners that he has. I’ll have some who mimic what he does, but he’ll have guys who do what I do.”
VIDEO: Robbie Lawler Interview
UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on a Nate Diaz update: “According to sources close to Nate Diaz, they’re zeroing in on Eddie Alvarez next. Eddie wants the title shot and is waiting to see what happens on March 5th between Rafael Dos Anjos and Conor McGregor before he does anything.”
Helwani on Carlos Condit’s next fight: “He met with the UFC last week and he’s in a holding pattern right now. He wants a rematch with Lawler, but Conor McGregor may move up to 170 if he wins in March. Also, if GSP comes back, he might get the title fight next. Carlos says he wants a title shot and might sit on the sidelines if he doesn’t get it.”
Helwani on Chris Weidman changing his training: “He’s gearing up for a rematch with Luke Rockhold now. He’s switched his camp up a little and is working with striking coach Mark Henry, who works with Frankie Edgar, Edson Barboza and others. He’s a New Jersey guy. So far, Chris is liking what Mark Henry is bringing to the table.”
Helwani on Raphael Assuncao’s return: “He’s finally healthy. He thinks he should be the guy to fight for the bantamweight belt next. Urijah Faber has fought for it, as has Dillashaw, who Assuncao beat. He believes he’s next for the title shot vs. Dominick Cruz.”
VIDEO: Inside The Octagon with Ariel Helwani
For notes, coverage, bios, photography and more, visit the FOX UFC page on FOX Sports Press Pass.
UFC TONIGHT
UFC TONIGHT is the official weekly news and information show of the Ultimate Fighting Championship on FS1. Veteran UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian, light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant and six-time World MMA Awards Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani bring you all the news and analysis.
Follow on Twitter at: @DC_MMA @KennyFlorian @KarynBryant; @ArielHelwani; @UFCTonight; @FS1
