UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones Media Conference Call Highlights
Posted on March 9, 2011, 04:42 PM by Joey Santosus
Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and the young phenom Jon "Bones" Jones will headline the stacked UFC 128 fight card, set to take place March 19th from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The co-main event will feature a Bantamweight showdown between top contenders Uriah Faber and Eddie Wineland, while Nate Marquardt looks to start his climb back up the Middleweight ladder against Yoshihiro Akiyama and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic takes on rising Heavyweight prospect Brendan Schaub.
Below are highlights from today's Media Conference Call, which included headliners "Shogun" Rua and Jon Jones, as well as Urijah Faber and Eddie Wineland.
Maurcio "Shogun" Rua:
• I am very happy being the champion, it's something I worked for my entire life.
• I'm not concerned with Jones being the favorite in the betting lines, it just serves as motivation.
• Both Rashad and Jones are somewhat similiar in many senses because they are very good strikers and very good wrestlers. I just had to get some guys with a bigger reach to prepare.
• The time off doesn't really bother me because its almost the same difference in between the first Machida fight and the second Machida fight.
• I've conquered all my dreams in MMA. It was hard to motivate myself after Pride GP, but now I fight every fight for my life.
• I always looked up to Wanderlei Silva and had him as inspiration. I wanted to reach his level. We had a great team and I truly cherish those memories.
• There are some good parallels between Jones and myself. There are differences in our games though. His strength is Wrestling and mine is striking.
• Its hard to find sparring partners his size, but we did the best we could and found some big guys to help out.
• I understand why people think he is the favorite because he has been beating all of his opponents easily and I truly consider myself as the underdog.
Jon "Bones" Jones:
• Fighting is a thinking man's sport. Anger and aggression can only cloud your mind.
• I think everything happens for a reason. I started this camp already in phenomenal shape, already having close to phenomenal timing.
• I took some time off (After the Bader fight). I went to Miami for about two or three days, I sat on the beach and relaxed and I was back training by that Thursday.
• I think helping Rashad prepare for Shogun is going to help me out a lot. I've had to watch a lot of his fights and I see a lot of tendencies in his game. I'm starting to understand him, what he throws and why he throws it.
• I'll be bringing God with me into the cage and the faces and the energies of all my training partners and coaches. I definitely won't fail and I definitely won't show weakness.
• My mom and dad will be at the fight.
• Winning this fight means everything to me. I have a family and its financial security. Its a dream come true. Its not a job for me, its not a trophy, its not a paycheck, its everything. And I think that's why I'm going to win this fight.
• I'm excited to be pushed for the first time - if I'm pushed. Who knows?
• I feel pressure, but then I don't feel any pressure. I feel like I was just here two days ago. The whole press the media, the camera following me around, the octagon jitters, I don't think any of that is going play a factor.
• I feel like God has given me all of this and I've worked for it and now its just my time to go out there and literally take what belongs to me. I feel as if its my belt and I want it and I'm going to hang on to it.
• I'm obsessed with Shogun and I have literally watched all of his fights. I've figured out a lot about him.
• I changed my phone number so that I can stay focused. All of the people I know, none of them have my number.
• Rashad has nothing to do with Shogun. I don't think I'm going to answer any questions about Rashad going forward.
• The fact that I'm the favorite, I think thats bologna. I think I'm the favorite because oddsmakers are very smart and they think that I'm going to lose.
• God doesn't help people who don't help themselves.
• It's not about who is the better fighter, it is about who fights better.
• I have nothing to lose here. I'm going to have fun with the situation.
Urijah Faber:
• I haven't heard anything at all (about TUF 14). I feel like this is a shot to get a title shot.
• I would love to coach on the show, but I think that would put me out until about December. Its a trade off, but I think its a great marketing tool and I think it would be an awesome experience.
• I'm the kind of guy that follows my heart, when people ask me questions I'll tell you the real answer. I don't like Dominick Cruz very much.
• The bottom line is, Cruz chose me as his enemy and I accept.
• I'm excited about the UFC debut, but I've been in big events before. Its not to much different for me really, but you know you can always say that and once you actually get there it can be a different story.
• I'm excited to fight Eddie. He and I are cool, we are both fast paced and go for the kill.
• When people look back at pound for pound guys, who fought at different weight classes, I'm going to be one of those guys.
• The weight cut is easy. I've always been really good at dieting and now that I have money I can buy really good food. I feel incredible, I feel stronger walking around at about 151.
Eddie Wineland:
• I want what Urijah wants and he wants what I want - and what we both want is that belt. If the TUF 14 coach position arises in the midst of it so bet it.
• I'm anxious to get in there and get done. The only difference for me is putting on a set of black gloves and you get a few more feet to run around.
• To fight Uriah is an honor, its great. Everyone knows Uriah Faber and he's a great dude, he's a great fighter and he is dangerous in all areas. I cant wait to test myself against him.
Photo: Francis Specker
Comments
There is no doubt in my mind that if Shogun comes out 100%
like he did vs Machida on their Rematch , Shogun will take Jones out!
But theres the 1 year layout and the injuries , that takes 1 or 2 warm up fights to get to 100 like last time ( Forrest , Coleman).
On the Faber fight i think Wineland is a very good fighter and has a chance to beat Faber after all Faber's wins are always chokes
so if Wineland can avoid that he can win.
But if Faber gets the win i dont think he deserves Cruz!
he should get at least one Top 5 fighter
Torres or Bowles would be Great!
shogun via brutal leg kicks
Since they are bringing Brandon Vera back, due to Thiago having been on steroids. I kind of wish they gave him a shot. So we could see one of the best stand up fights in history. But I like Jones too. I would just really love to see that fight someday.
Thing is Shogun wasnt 100% when he fought Machida 2 he was soft cause he couldnt train due to him having his apendix removed 6 weeks b4 the fight, that why he was so aggressive early, he didnt want it to go to later rounds.
"Fighting is a thinking mans sport"
YES JONES! YES!!!!! Now if only some of the fans could catch up with you........
Wow, so if shogun loses its going to be because he wasnt 100%. It's that simple ayy.
tue he wasnt 100 per cent .
jones sounds a bit too confident. Its good , but i hope he will still be focused during the fight.
It would be very bad for his mind if he loses by ko in the 1st
the more interviews with jones i read or watch,
...the less i like him.
really hope he either gets dropped and receives a much needed reality check.
or if he wins, he learns some humbleness.
I agree man, he is a super exciting fighter and he continues to add elements of surprise to his game. But dude talks more like Confucius every interview he gives. I've never competed in Martial Arts, but was a Philosophy major in College - I know @ 23 you think everything is deep, but Jones should tone it down a bit. He talks like he is 123 not 23....
He is a good fighter, and might be the new champ, but just be humble and keep it simple man
Seriously stop tryna find something to dislike about Bones. I met him in August at a UFC Expo in Boston and the guy is humble. He's confident in his abilities and I see nothing wrong with the way he speaks in any interview. He's not ****y, arrogant, ignorant, or anything else. He's young and excited as you would be if in a position he's in. If you know anything about fighting then you would know that confidence plays a huge factor. A lot of guys lose a fight before the fight even begins when they question their abilities. He might be young but the guy is mature. He has a family to feed which is serious business, there's no time for doubt. He changed his number so his friends and family couldn't contact him while preparing, he's studying RUA by watching his fights which I feel shows how focused he is. Stop disliking people for believing in themselves. Belief in ur own abilities can take you to the top in this sport and Jones is living proof. Respect Him
Some of you guys are just trying so hard to find the smallest reasons to dislike Jon Jones the same way a lot of you did with Anderson Silva. Shogun is a great fighter, so why would any of you think that Jon Jones is overly confident or underestimating Shogun?
It's almost like they're trying to group Jon Jones with the "Mo Lawals" and the " Terrel Owens" of the world. Now those fucckers are ****y and arrogant. Just because Jones is black and confident doesn't mean he's ****y. Sometimes I get this feeling that if you're a black athlete, there are alot of white folks out there waiting for you to fail or say any little thing that'll anger them. Yet you have a white, arrogant, rude, obnoxious fighter like Chael Sonnen and he doesn't catch any flak from the white mma community. Anderson Silva says one little thing and "bang", white fans are calling him ****y. Talk about double standards.
i think it has less to do with race and more about the simple fact that people like to hate the guy on top its like that in every profession if you notice how many people like to pick apart gsp you will see the simalarities also cheal did lose alot of fans including myself when he started running his mouth like a idiot
I think your right, and as for the Chael thing....He provided many good laughs and entertaining moments outside the ring. I think the Maia fight is another big reason as to why people hate Anderson, and just the way he generally acts in fights comes off as showboatish and ****y. Jon seems like a good kid, just tries to hard IMO.
I completely agree with the Chael Sonnen's statement. Chael is the biggest idiot on earth, yet he still gets a pass from a lot of people on lowkick.
Agreed. If it was Bader talking like this they wouldn't have a problem. If it was Forrest they would love him. Well its not. It's Bones. Stop the non sense people. Chael is a Dick face and they love the bulshit he spoke.
@Scrappah- you have no idea what races of people dislike Jones. Or don't hate on Sonnen. Biggest reason people give Sonnen a break is cuz he still makes a lot of them laugh. And he's definitely a born entertainer. I usually like Jones too. But if some people don't like him or Anderson, they're entitled to their opinions. I have had many black friends in my life. But I have met just as many racist black people as I have white people. You don't know which of us on this site are white or black. So how do you know who calls Anderson ****y. And Sonnen has caught a lot of flak from everyone, for a lot of things. Either way, don't kid yourself that 2 or 3 negative comments on Jones, represents what "white people think." I'm mixed, if anyone is wondering, but talking about race just gets old, unless you need to for something wrong that really is going on.
im born and raised in hawaii, and im mixed too. im hawaiian, samoan, german, irish, filipino, portuguese. my father is 100% caucasian from Iowa. trust me when i say i have nothing against white people. i just seem to always notice that out of all the people that visit hawaii, white people are the most judgmental and ignorant.
Well... Thats kind of his point. In context he said that just praying and sitting there doing nothing isn't enough. "God doesn't help those who do not help themselves."
Well, like you implied, I dont really want to get into a big convo about such a sensitive topic. I was just trying to add some context to his statement as it was spoken from his mouth.
its all good. im not trying to hate on anybody.
that's his choice. he chose to give thanks to his God, what does it matter to you.
I'm an atheist, but it seems offensive to say that God's on your side. What if Rua's a Christian? Will God sit this one out if that's the case? Also, I'm with you edub. Jones was paraphrasing a classic Christian phrase in that interview when he said "God doesn't help people who don't help themselves." the actual phrase is "God helps those who help themselves." Translation: God does f all.
well just because you say god is on your side does not mean that god cannot be on shoguns side also or god is somehow against shogun its usualy a waste of time to try and put logic into religion that is the reason it is called faith
@ edub and endo, u guys sound ridiculous. Words fall from your mouths as Shit from ass...
Well thanks for putting me in my place so poetically you complete tard. How's this for you. Christianity was based on the ancient Egyptian mystery religions and that in turn was based on the Sumerian tablets. So if you want to believe a third hand fable that's your shout. But you're the idiot. That's a fact, what facts do you have to argue against me? Answer: None. I suppose you're going to tell me it's a matter of faith or god work in mysterious ways, or some other religious nonsense. Try reading a book that's not called The Bible, a science or history book maybe. At least something that's not designed to disempower and indoctrinate you, maybe Little Red Riding Hood or something.
By the way, that's aimed at 3RD EYE just incase that wasn't obvious. Also 3RD EYE is a very apt name for you, but why not include the whole penis and just call yourself the kok.
@ endo 1st off I'm not in to religion, I think its a deterrence, something to help control human behavior. I don't own a bible, but I do believe in a higher power. 2nd is this a religious site? Answer: no its a mma site. Believe what u believe, I could honestly give two shits about what u jus wrote or how u feel about life. Read a book, haha I have a bachelors degree in Criminology plus train mma u dumb atheist. Your life must suck to be mad at Bones for thanking god or for having faith. To each his own.
1. Don't say "i train mma" as a response to "read a book". As it makes no sense.
2. Being an atheist just means you don't believe in God. Doesn't mean that I don't believe in a higher power, just means I don't believe in God, which is a concept made by man to explain something he doesn't understand.
3. I know it's not a religious site, but when the content is based on religion the response can be too and it's completely appropriate.
4. If you don't care what I believe, what's with your first response? The comment that started this little argument when you felt you had to comment on my opinion even tho it supposedly didn't bother you?
5. My life is fantastic thanks very much. I really like Jones, if you look in the Jones vs Rua thread I was arguing that Jones is going to win the fight in the 1st or 2nd round and called him the future and that I don't see anyone stopping him - even Rua. So don't chat about me hating him when I just took issue with one thing he said.
For someone with a degree in Criminology you're not very observant.
Keep weaking me guys - I think that's what Jesus would do. Generations of you people with "faith" waited 2000 years for him to come back, and did he? What's the official line for his no-show? Or are we ignoring that now too? You won't do it, but all you have to do to know that Christianity is fake is look into the ancient Egyptian religions, seriously, if you know you're right, what's the harm in looking into it? : )
Well?
http://paganizingfaithofyeshua.netfirms.com/comparsison_horus_jesus_chart.htm
This is just from a couple of minutes of looking, it's not where I know the info from so I don't know if it's all correct, but at first glance I can see most of it is. I dare you to look at this. I double dare you, and if you don't you're just scared.
It's the same story, just different names and places. And this is in turn based on information from the Sumerian Tablets.
Seriously, end of argument. Unless the next thing that you type is a fact that you can actually back up, then don't bother.
Oh shit, this guy watched Zeitgeist and read The God Delusion! He knows everything! All hail Endo! The all knowing, all seeing, and all powerful being! Go-, I mean Endo bless you, Endo?
What the hell is this complaining about him not being humble? Where did all these sour, non-confident, judgmental human beings come from? who in there right mind takes jones saying "I will win, i will come off on-top, im focused, im ready, etc" as him not not showing respect? this BLOWS my mind.
ITS CALLED CONFIDENCE! GET MORE OF IT! just because you walk threw your daily life and living your second rate desk job and you have to kiss your boss's ass everyday doesn't mean everyone's a pathetic little worm like you.
This is a warrior's sport, this is a sport that involves having heart...having confidence in yourself.
In no way shape or form did Jones say one insulting thing about shogun in those quotes, so where the hell does the INCREDIBLY STUPID "wow i hope he looses he needs to be humble" bullshit comments come from? like are you serious?
People like this should be praised, not frowned upon, and if you had half the confidence he has maybe you'd be where you truly want to be in life....like he is. Take a look at yourself before you judge someone's will and determination to succeed.
get real, honestly.
And also, if he wants to thank god, let him...its his words. Is he mentioning you? no...so relax.
Did he touch a nerve?
Perhaps I'm interpreting Jones' words wrong but I just get the vibe that He is under-estimating Shogun. I'm a big Shogun fan so my opinion is biased but I think Jones is going to get a reality check when he feels Shogun's shin on his thigh. Jones hasn't been hit as hard as Shogun is going to hit him and it will be interesting to see how he reacts to it.
I like both guys but i hope your right,i would imagine JJ goes pretty hard himself in training though,i think this is a HORRIBLE fight for shogun unless he can stop JBJ taking him to the mat.
Saying that JBJ does get a bit annoying sometimes but the dudes only 23 BROSKI'S
hey dude check out mmafighting.com. trust me, jon jones isnt taking shogun lightly. He said he views shogun as a legend and he studies shogun tapes. He pretty much " eats and sleeps" shogun 24/7 since the announcement.
N I bet ur gonna make excuses when shogun gets finished in the first round!! WELCOME TO THE JON JONES ERA!!!
Yo atheist hoe assss punk I hope when u die u come back as a tree n some axe guy comes n chops u dwn in drags ur srry ass to a paper factory n they print the HOLY BIBLE on ur srry ass..
Anything can happen in MMA and Shogun may get finished in the first round - it's possible but I doubt JJ has the KO power to do it and on the ground, he's dealing with a BJJ blackbelt.
I'm not so sure I want to enter the JJ ERA just yet, I was quite disappointed by the Lyoto Machida Era - it turned out to be quite short and was coincidentally ended by Shogun in brutal fashion.
And the Atheist joke was hilarious, I'll be sure to thank Dane Cook for you.
LOL comedian Dane Cook is one of the best ahaha
lol some serious JBJ **** sucking going on here
Ben Henderson brought God into the cage and he still got whipped by Pettis. As far as I have been able to gather from theologians and spiritual people is that God is on everyone's side.
I am not a fan of too much public religion in MMA---I am not atheist or anti-religious, but I believe such beliefs are private matters between the believer and their Maker. I have no problem if one wants to thank God after they win, but to imply that God is your cornerman and exclusively on your side makes me queasy.
When I read between the lines in this interview, and others, I get the picture that Jones is a bit psyched by Shogun. I think the mental battle for Jones is much tougher than he lets on. Shogun on the other hand, seems cool as a cucumber--and only seems justifiably wary of his next opponent.
People are not looking for the slightest reason to 'hate' or dislike Jones. Not at all. And there's nothing wrong with confidence... BUT that is clearly not what Jones is presenting in these recent interviews.
Jon is appearing to display a high level of bullshit. I have a minor in Psychology and I've studied micro-expressions, and everything that Jones speaks of regarding this fight is a cover. He claims to be a thinking fighter, but his history indictates otherwise. Just recently, in an interview, Jones exploded with emotion when the name Rashad Evans was brought up by a reporter. Whether his relationship with Evans is not what it seems or he has trouble dealing with his emotions, he is not a thinking fighter in a fight.
My point is, Jones is trying to present himself as a person he is not. Most people can detect when another person is trying become someone else in the eyes of others. That is why there is an increase in backlash towards Jon Jones.
In reality, Jones is actually threaten by Rua and he is clearly overcompensating. For example, the GOD is my corner-man nonsense. That tells me that Jones is not ready for this level of the fight game yet (mentally). His last quote states his level as desperation.
I'm speaking to the 10% that are beyond irrational. A few are in here. I, myself, am a fan of Jon Jones (the fighter).
I can see where you're coming from, and I agree. Don't get me wrong, I like the fighter and he is quite talented but I am just not a fan of the personality, and apart of me really wants to see him get his face smashed in for being a little smug and ****y.
BUT no one should take away anything from Jon. The guy has cleared out all of the mid-level talent in the division and he's done it impressively at times. The Bader bout was incredible. I didn't think he would dominate a Division I wrestler so easily, and yet he did.
He definitely has a strong chance in beating Rua, but will he? In my opinion, no. It's not because Rua is a favorite of mine since the beginning but because I base it on calculations and my gut. Don't worry about what people think. If you got a feeling that Jones is going to win, then go for it and screw whatever people are saying and writing. If I had a feeling that Jones was going to pull it off, I'd go against my love for Rua and proclaim Jon would win.
I agree, this picking sides thing is ridiculous.
@doomsdayapex
Stop worrying bout all the Jon Jones nutthuggers n worry bout extracting shoguns **** from ur ass..
@diamond -mma2
Hell DC is my fav man
Pitbull, please show me where I am bending over for Shogun.
I was speaking about Jon Jones' psyche - not about Shogun Rua in this conversation.
Now, if you don't mind, why don't you contribute like a man who has more than just testicles and one who can actually muster some intelligent life from that empty vessel you call a skull or continue on using cheap insults for your own amusement.
and calling fans that are rooting for jones "nuthuggers", isnt a cheap insult? just because we arent rooting for rua, doesnt give you the right call anyone a nuthugger.
Ummm, I am not calling Jones' fans 'nut-huggers'. I'm calling fans that present themselves in the manner you have as 'nut-huggers'.
You can root for whoever the hell you want, I could care less but don't sit there, stir up a shit storm and then try to play the victim. Got it?
okay master sir. you are the know all of mma. dont want to argue with you anymore.