Post by The Texas Rattlesnakes on Feb 1, 2018 16:32:29 GMT -5
Panel 1
Reporter:
We're here live via skype with five of the six current champions. New Flyweight Champion will not be participating due to her interview earlier. Any reporters feel free to step up and ask questions.
First up we have current Bantamweight Champion, Cat Zingano of The Sandmen.
1) Cat thank you for joining us, I'd first like to mention that you've had a pretty remarkable run in past months. You used to be a part of xx - Former Phoenix Fight Club, but November 11th, 2016 you were traded to one of the top gyms, The Sandmen. You were on a three fight losing streak at the time, did you feel like you deserved to train at such a dominant gym?
2) Your first fight with The Sandmen was a victory over current Flyweight Champion, Jessica Eye, then you went on to lose to former teammate, Alexis Davis. Then you beat Liz Carmouche. After that you lost a critical fight against Sarah Kaufman in the Season 18 Grand Prix. What were your thoughts on losing the deciding fight for your team?
3) At ManMMA 370 you were defeated by Rin Nakai. It was after that fight, when we saw a change in your game. What were the biggest changes you made going into the fight where you beat Ronda Rousey inside three minutes? Who do you have to thank most for your style change, and do you blame your last team for never amounting to much of anything while you were there?
4) After defeating Ronda, you went on to gain impressive victories over the likes of Lauren Murphy, Cris Cyborg, and the woman you won the title from, Liz Carmouche. What was it like to finally get a belt wrapped around your waist after so many years? What were your thoughts heading into that match?
5) Since winning the title you've looked phenomenal. You've successfully defended the belt against Holly Holm, Rin Nakai, Julie Kedzie, Cris Cyborg, Gina Carano, and the woman you beat for the title: Liz Carmouche. What's it going to take for you to continue your reign, and what are your thoughts on current contender Sarah Kaufman?
6) Assuming you're victorious against Sarah Kaufman, you'd go on to fight either Holly Holm or Ronda Rousey at Zenith. You've fought both fighters recently, and defeated them both, but Rousey has revamped her style quite a bit, as you probably saw in her match up against Rin Nakai. How do you think you'd stack up against her, and who would you rather face at Zenith?
7) Earlier Flyweight Champion, Jessica Eye was asked about a Super Fight between you two. Is there any interest in that fight for you? How do you think that match would go considering you defeated her in your last bout against each other?
Next we have another fighter from The Sandmen, Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi.
1) Takanori, you first joined The Sandmen in August of 2016 after you were traded by xx - The Underdog Regime. You were on a two fight losing streak, and had your first fight the next day. You were defeated by Michael Chiesa. After that you won three straight fights, and lost to John Dodson in a contender fight. After that you won four more fights to fight for the Lightweight Championship. Do you think changing gyms was the reason for this success?
2) What were your thoughts when you found out your one on one title fight at 381 would no longer be that, but it would be a one night tournament against several fighters who had never won the belt?
3) What was your game plan going into the tournament conditioning wise, and how did you feel after defeating Gray Maynard, Jens Pulver, Eddie Alvarez, and then BJ Penn to become the new champion?
4) Since winning the belt you've turned your negative record positive, and you've defended it against Michael Chandler, Dominick Cruz, Gilbert Melendez, Melvin Guillard, and Jeremy Stephens. Who gave you the toughest fight out of them?
5) What are your thoughts on facing former teammate, Shinya Aoki for the title in your next defense?
6) If you're able to defeat Aoki, you'll go on to face Gilbert Melendez at Zenith. What are your thoughts on Melendez, considering you've already defended the belt once from him? And what does it mean to you to defend a belt at Zenith?
Now introducing xx - Former Phoenix Fight Club's reigning, defending, Heavyweight Champion, Tim Sylvia.
1) Tim you joined xx - Former Phoenix Fight Club way back at the beginning of 2013, before you even had ten fights under your belt. In fact, you won your tenth fight at ManMMA 115, which was your first fight with xx - Former Phoenix Fight Club. Since then, your (6-4) record has become (37-37, 1) and you've been a Super Fight champion, and you're now the current Heavyweight champion. What win felt more prestigious to you? And what changes did you make that allowed you to win the titles?
2) You lost the SuperFight Championship to Middleweight, Robbie Lawler. Was it embarrassing to lose the title to a smaller opponent in a lower weight class? And do you wish to face Lawler again some time soon?
3) After losing the SuperFight title, it only took you four fights to win the Heavyweight title. Both titles were won from Chuck Liddell. What are your thoughts on Liddell as an opponent?
4) Since becoming Heavyweight Champion, you've defended your belt three times. You defeated Gabriel Gonzaga, Shogun Rua, and Rampage Jackson. There have been critics talking about how you don't defend your belt against ranked opponents, for example: Gonzaga and Jackson, but Shogun Rua was and is ranked 2. How do you respond to those that doubt your ability to defend the belt against a "real" opponent?
5) Your next opponent is Andrei Arlovski. What are your thoughts on Arlovski as an opponent and a fighter?
6) If you defeat Arlovski in your next fight, it seems you'll be defending against either Jon Jones or Junior dos Santos at Zenith. Who would you rather face? And who do you think would give you the easiest fight and why?
Our fourth guest of the evening, the new Middleweight Champion, Anthony Johnson.
1) Anthony congratulations on winning the Middleweight Championship earlier today, but it wasn't your first time facing Lyoto Machida. You last faced him in the final round of the Season 19 Grand Prix where he finished you in the first round. How did you prepare for this fight against him this time, and how did it feel to completely dominate him?
2) You joined The Texas Rattlesnakes right at the beginning of the season, but you were a well established fighter beforehand. Afterwards, you went on to defeat top middleweights, Wanderlei Silva, Thiago Alves, Carlos Condit, and then Lyoto Machida. What did it take to get to that next level?
3) You'll be defending the Middleweight belt against Rich Franklin and Zenith, what does it mean to you to be able to defend a belt on one of the biggest cards of the season? And what are your thoughts on Franklin as an opponent?
4) Is there anyone specifically in the division that you want to fight or defend your belt against?
5) After your fight against Machida, he and his coach, xx - Camp Cannon had comments about you belonging at heavyweight. What are your thoughts on that, and would you drop the Middleweight Championship if you ran out of competition?
Lastly, the SuperFight Champion, Cain Velasquez.
1) Cain, you've had quite the run lately, but you're also probably one of the few current champions who is no stranger to being dominant in his division. You used to be apart of The Rocketmen, and you won a Heavyweight championship and a SuperFight Championship in his gym, since then you've been a part of The Texas Rattlesnakes. Although you briefly went to xx - Former Bulldozers who's now retired. You won a Heavyweight championship while a part of The Texas Rattlesnakes, and you won the SuperFight title shortly after that. Which of the titles is more prestigious to you?
2) We haven't really seen much of a change in your style over recent seasons, how have you managed to stay so dominant without changing much?
3) So far you've been challenged by xx - Team GAP's Gabriel Gonzaga, assuming you defeat him in your defense, who do you want to go up against in your title defense at Zenith? We know you voiced interest in a fight against Anderson Silva for the title, but it seems like he has a different agenda at the moment.
4) Do you have any other goals currently other than defending the SuperFight championship? Would you be interested in a Super Fight against current Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia? How do you think you'd fare against Big Tim?
That concludes questions from me. Follow up questions will come up pending fighter responses. Feel free to ask questions to the fighters if you have any.
Reporter:
We're here live via skype with five of the six current champions. New Flyweight Champion will not be participating due to her interview earlier. Any reporters feel free to step up and ask questions.
First up we have current Bantamweight Champion, Cat Zingano of The Sandmen.
1) Cat thank you for joining us, I'd first like to mention that you've had a pretty remarkable run in past months. You used to be a part of xx - Former Phoenix Fight Club, but November 11th, 2016 you were traded to one of the top gyms, The Sandmen. You were on a three fight losing streak at the time, did you feel like you deserved to train at such a dominant gym?
2) Your first fight with The Sandmen was a victory over current Flyweight Champion, Jessica Eye, then you went on to lose to former teammate, Alexis Davis. Then you beat Liz Carmouche. After that you lost a critical fight against Sarah Kaufman in the Season 18 Grand Prix. What were your thoughts on losing the deciding fight for your team?
3) At ManMMA 370 you were defeated by Rin Nakai. It was after that fight, when we saw a change in your game. What were the biggest changes you made going into the fight where you beat Ronda Rousey inside three minutes? Who do you have to thank most for your style change, and do you blame your last team for never amounting to much of anything while you were there?
4) After defeating Ronda, you went on to gain impressive victories over the likes of Lauren Murphy, Cris Cyborg, and the woman you won the title from, Liz Carmouche. What was it like to finally get a belt wrapped around your waist after so many years? What were your thoughts heading into that match?
5) Since winning the title you've looked phenomenal. You've successfully defended the belt against Holly Holm, Rin Nakai, Julie Kedzie, Cris Cyborg, Gina Carano, and the woman you beat for the title: Liz Carmouche. What's it going to take for you to continue your reign, and what are your thoughts on current contender Sarah Kaufman?
6) Assuming you're victorious against Sarah Kaufman, you'd go on to fight either Holly Holm or Ronda Rousey at Zenith. You've fought both fighters recently, and defeated them both, but Rousey has revamped her style quite a bit, as you probably saw in her match up against Rin Nakai. How do you think you'd stack up against her, and who would you rather face at Zenith?
7) Earlier Flyweight Champion, Jessica Eye was asked about a Super Fight between you two. Is there any interest in that fight for you? How do you think that match would go considering you defeated her in your last bout against each other?
Next we have another fighter from The Sandmen, Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi.
1) Takanori, you first joined The Sandmen in August of 2016 after you were traded by xx - The Underdog Regime. You were on a two fight losing streak, and had your first fight the next day. You were defeated by Michael Chiesa. After that you won three straight fights, and lost to John Dodson in a contender fight. After that you won four more fights to fight for the Lightweight Championship. Do you think changing gyms was the reason for this success?
2) What were your thoughts when you found out your one on one title fight at 381 would no longer be that, but it would be a one night tournament against several fighters who had never won the belt?
3) What was your game plan going into the tournament conditioning wise, and how did you feel after defeating Gray Maynard, Jens Pulver, Eddie Alvarez, and then BJ Penn to become the new champion?
4) Since winning the belt you've turned your negative record positive, and you've defended it against Michael Chandler, Dominick Cruz, Gilbert Melendez, Melvin Guillard, and Jeremy Stephens. Who gave you the toughest fight out of them?
5) What are your thoughts on facing former teammate, Shinya Aoki for the title in your next defense?
6) If you're able to defeat Aoki, you'll go on to face Gilbert Melendez at Zenith. What are your thoughts on Melendez, considering you've already defended the belt once from him? And what does it mean to you to defend a belt at Zenith?
Now introducing xx - Former Phoenix Fight Club's reigning, defending, Heavyweight Champion, Tim Sylvia.
1) Tim you joined xx - Former Phoenix Fight Club way back at the beginning of 2013, before you even had ten fights under your belt. In fact, you won your tenth fight at ManMMA 115, which was your first fight with xx - Former Phoenix Fight Club. Since then, your (6-4) record has become (37-37, 1) and you've been a Super Fight champion, and you're now the current Heavyweight champion. What win felt more prestigious to you? And what changes did you make that allowed you to win the titles?
2) You lost the SuperFight Championship to Middleweight, Robbie Lawler. Was it embarrassing to lose the title to a smaller opponent in a lower weight class? And do you wish to face Lawler again some time soon?
3) After losing the SuperFight title, it only took you four fights to win the Heavyweight title. Both titles were won from Chuck Liddell. What are your thoughts on Liddell as an opponent?
4) Since becoming Heavyweight Champion, you've defended your belt three times. You defeated Gabriel Gonzaga, Shogun Rua, and Rampage Jackson. There have been critics talking about how you don't defend your belt against ranked opponents, for example: Gonzaga and Jackson, but Shogun Rua was and is ranked 2. How do you respond to those that doubt your ability to defend the belt against a "real" opponent?
5) Your next opponent is Andrei Arlovski. What are your thoughts on Arlovski as an opponent and a fighter?
6) If you defeat Arlovski in your next fight, it seems you'll be defending against either Jon Jones or Junior dos Santos at Zenith. Who would you rather face? And who do you think would give you the easiest fight and why?
Our fourth guest of the evening, the new Middleweight Champion, Anthony Johnson.
1) Anthony congratulations on winning the Middleweight Championship earlier today, but it wasn't your first time facing Lyoto Machida. You last faced him in the final round of the Season 19 Grand Prix where he finished you in the first round. How did you prepare for this fight against him this time, and how did it feel to completely dominate him?
2) You joined The Texas Rattlesnakes right at the beginning of the season, but you were a well established fighter beforehand. Afterwards, you went on to defeat top middleweights, Wanderlei Silva, Thiago Alves, Carlos Condit, and then Lyoto Machida. What did it take to get to that next level?
3) You'll be defending the Middleweight belt against Rich Franklin and Zenith, what does it mean to you to be able to defend a belt on one of the biggest cards of the season? And what are your thoughts on Franklin as an opponent?
4) Is there anyone specifically in the division that you want to fight or defend your belt against?
5) After your fight against Machida, he and his coach, xx - Camp Cannon had comments about you belonging at heavyweight. What are your thoughts on that, and would you drop the Middleweight Championship if you ran out of competition?
Lastly, the SuperFight Champion, Cain Velasquez.
1) Cain, you've had quite the run lately, but you're also probably one of the few current champions who is no stranger to being dominant in his division. You used to be apart of The Rocketmen, and you won a Heavyweight championship and a SuperFight Championship in his gym, since then you've been a part of The Texas Rattlesnakes. Although you briefly went to xx - Former Bulldozers who's now retired. You won a Heavyweight championship while a part of The Texas Rattlesnakes, and you won the SuperFight title shortly after that. Which of the titles is more prestigious to you?
2) We haven't really seen much of a change in your style over recent seasons, how have you managed to stay so dominant without changing much?
3) So far you've been challenged by xx - Team GAP's Gabriel Gonzaga, assuming you defeat him in your defense, who do you want to go up against in your title defense at Zenith? We know you voiced interest in a fight against Anderson Silva for the title, but it seems like he has a different agenda at the moment.
4) Do you have any other goals currently other than defending the SuperFight championship? Would you be interested in a Super Fight against current Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia? How do you think you'd fare against Big Tim?
That concludes questions from me. Follow up questions will come up pending fighter responses. Feel free to ask questions to the fighters if you have any.
x8 
Have 9 points in celebration of this monumental achievement!