Here are highlights from the UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill presser today at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more, follow me on Twitter: @MMANation. I should add this press conference felt flat. Many of the questions were about the fighters justifying the stakes of the fight, sometimes understandably. But the feeling one got from watching this presser was "why are we here again?".
UFC 130 Press Conference: Rampage Jackson Talks Age 35, Frank Mir And Roy Nelson Reject Detente
Which is unfortunate. My suspicion is given the match-ups and what’s actually at stake (quite a bit), these fights are going to be excellent. There isn’t any dramatic story line or a title shot on the line, but the implications are bigger than most consider and the style match-ups are supremely intriguing. I suspect there will be fireworks even if there’s a question about the number of those there to watch them.
- Doesn’t think there’s any additional pressure. If Hamill is the underdog this time, that’s fine, he can have it.
- No idea who’d play the younger Rampage in a movie about my life, but 50 Cent could be the adult Rampage.
- I haven’t thought about how much I want to fight after this fight. I’ll just take it as it comes. I won’t fight past 35.
- Coming in lighter this time is actually going to help my weight cut. I used to cut 15lbs during PRIDE days, but now I’m down to cutting 6lbs. I regret letting myself blow up because it forced me to give up Shogun fight.
- I always said I “wanted” to retire at 35. I have a lot of things to care of. I’m putting my little sister through college, I want my parents to be well-off. If it need be after 35, if it’s really necessary, I will. But I’d prefer to retire and do other things.
- Every time I train it hurts. I just can’t keep taking it year after year.
- Fighting is a great job. It’s one of the hardest jobs, but if Dana would pay me every month after I retire I’d fight a little longer. But it doesn’t work that way. I see a lot of pro wrestlers, football players and others who don’t have anything after they retire.
- Reminds audience the movie about his life is coming in the fall and he’s had plenty of time to focus on training.
- Says he’s been the underdog the last five fights and proven everyone every time.
- Five years after The Ultimate Fighter, I’m finally well-rounded where I used to just be a wrestler.
- It’s critical I be a role model for the deaf community. I have three thousand emails every week from them reaching out to me and looking up to me. I want to prove I can do something for them.
- If it was up to me, I’d fight in Las Vegas every time. Says fighting in his hometown makes everything convenient.
- “I’ve been in the UFC longer” which means when he wants to go to the gym, he gets to go first.
- Given what happened to Lesnar, makes Shane Carwin vs. Junior dos Santos the true number one contender slot for heavyweight title.
- If my wife were to get in the Octagon with me, I’d knock her out and choke her unconscious.
- Will likely be right around 265lbs, but not exactly focused on “being big”. Being strong and fast are great attributes, but “technique is still king”.
- I don’t need to fake dislike. “I don’t have to dislike to want to fight you”.
- Enjoys fighting in Vegas as well given how he’s there now full time.
- Didn’t get mad about having to share gym time with Mir.
- It means a lot to beat Frank, a 2x champion and a legend. Great opportunity to move closer to title shot.
- This is a sport first, meaning we won’t be hugging before or during a fight. It’s like the playoffs, we’re going out there to win.
- Stann says the military narrative in his career can make it sometimes seem like he’s bragging, but also happy to be promoting veterans issues. Also “I’m not the one who asks the question”, just answers him.
- Says Wanderlei Silva only turned him down because the fight didn't pique his interest. The fight with Santiago means he has more to gain, anyway.
- Given my perspective and life experiences, I don’t feel the same level of pressure other athletes might. I have everything to gain and not much to lose in this fight. I make it a point to enjoy my time in the UFC. You never know when that’s going to end. We’re gods in there.
- Says he’s honored to fight Stann
- “This is like a dream” in reference to fighting in UFC rather than Sengoku or other smaller shows.
- “Of course” my goal was coming back to the UFC, specifically. “This is the best place to be for a fighter”. I was working hard to have an opportunity.
- I’ve become more professional. I had to go over all the world to figure out what was missing in my game. I beat all of the good guys out of the UFC.
- When they asked me to fight Brian Stann, it didn’t matter it was on Memorial Day. I love America as much as he does. My family and kids are here.
Dana White:
- On Brian Stann, he’s a good human being, he’s a smart guy. Agreed with his assessment about the Wanderlei Silva fight.
- In terms of victories, would be “career-defining moments” if Hamill beats Rampage.
- “I like it” that MMA fighters are going into movies, my only beef with Rampage initially with the A-Team was timing. I have seen Hamill’s movie and it was good.
- Agrees with Mir: Carwin vs. dos Santos is for number one contender, Mir vs. Nelson for two and expects Brock Lesnar to bounce back.
- We’ve got days where guys hate each other and days where guys hate each other. They all still want to win and put on a good performance.
- I love it when guys ask for fights or big challenges. No word yet on what will happen for Jon Jones.
- I love people who overcome things. Jorge Santiago lost and was cut in 2006. He went out on an 11-fight win streak. He made changes and worked his way back into the UFC. Those are exactly the guys we’re looking for.
- The problem with guys continuing to fight in boxing was to make money like Roy Jones, Jr. Bernard Hopkins is different and more like a Randy Couture.
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