HOWLIN’ WOLVES, ODDS SHEETS, AND THE NATURE BOY
“My coach in the corner was like ‘you’re down two rounds.’ I was like ‘I know man, I’m going to start fighting the next round.'” – New UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans, taking the common route of taking the first couple rounds off in a title fight. (Yahoo)
“Sometimes you rhyme slow, sometimes you rhyme quick. I came out rhyming real slow.” – Evans, who has a long way to go before he reaches Ali-like eloquence.
“I can look at the odds. On paper, I wouldn’t have given me a chance in the fight.” – New UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir, showing the confidence that is a prerequisite of a dominant champion.
“Woo!” – Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson, channeling his inner Ric Flair (Yahoo)
“I got my wolf on now.” – Jackson, giving a shout out to his new camp, the Wolfslair.
“I had to have been hurt, as I had such a pathetic lazy guard.” – Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin, but how does he really feel?
MAYBE THEY’VE CONFUSED FIGHT CAMP WITH SUMMER CAMP?
“I didn’t do the nipple tweak.” – Evans, it’s sad to say that most hardcore fans noticed it too. (MMA Weekly)
“Jardine pointed it out. He said, ‘Know what? I think that’s maybe why you started off slow, man. You didn’t get the nipple tweak in.’” – Evans, this is what kind of world class coaching you get with Greg Jackson‘s camp.
“I realized after the fight started that I didn’t do the nipple tweak. I was like, man, what’s going on? I lost my mojo.” – Evans, who later found inspiration when he remembered Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
MIKE WHITEHEAD PROBABLY ISN’T A MICHAEL JACKSON FAN
“It was just a little fun.” – Evans, doing damage control for his glove-kiss, crotch-grab moment at UFC 92. (Yahoo)
“He hit me with a good shot and he gave me a little smile. We were just going back and forth.” – Evans, keep on keepin’ on, son.
“I hate the way Rashad goes out and f—— carries himself.” – Journeyman Mike Whitehead, who should heed The Rock’s advice: Know your role, and shut your mouth. (Yahoo)
“He’s almost as bad as Tito now.” – Whitehead, except that Evans finished your gym buddy.
“I don’t know how he can say he’s a good ambassador for the sport when he goes out and does that s—.” – Whitehead, hates fun.
“He’s kissing his glove and touching his d—.” – Whitehead, and you’re losing fights. See, everyone can say the obvious!
WAR IN THE PACIFIC
“Satoshi Ishii has the potential to be very successful in mixed martial arts.” – UFC President Dana White, putting the heat on his pursuit of Judo Gold Medalist Satoshi Ishii. (UFC.com)
“I was impressed with the training programs here in Las Vegas and the UFC event.” – Ishii
“I am looking forward to working with the UFC and to developing my mixed martial arts skills.” – Ishii, who wouldn’t surprise me if he burns Zuffa like Sakikabara loved to do.
WHITE NOISE
“He’s a nice guy, but he’s not a referee.” – White, complaining about the work of Mr. Mustache, Steve Mazzagatti. (Yahoo)
“In nine years, there’s only one fighter that I’ve lost that I didn’t want to lose. That was Arlovski, and it still bothers me.” – White, who got what he deserved for how he handled the situation. (FiveOuncesofPain.com)
“I jumped on a plane and flew to Chicago with Lorenzo and kissed his butt to try to make him not leave.” – White, who would have had more success tasting his pee pee.
“That will be a very interesting fight.” – White, giving rare props to a non-UFC promoted fight (Arlovski/Emelianenko).
“Everybody knocked Tim Sylvia down in the first round.” – White, finding new ways to discredit Fedor Emelianeno.
“Randy just couldn’t choke him out or he would have choked him out the same exact way Fedor did!” – White, uh….what?
“Listen, I’ve got no problem with Fedor.” – White, you sure don’t.
PARTING SHOTS
“Some of my injuries are fake.” – Frank Mir, detailing a strategy of misinformation. (MMAJunkie.com)
“I believe that during 2009 I will fight three more times for Dream, then I hope for a farewell fight in the UFC.” – Former Pride OWGP Champion Mirko Filipovic, planning his farewell tour. (Fighters Only)
“You guys just don’t know my family. They make fun of me.” – Quinton Jackson, who might have a common bond with little Josh Koscheck. (Yahoo)
“He lost his last fight, but he is still a legend.” – Former UFC and Pride Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodridgo Nogueira, who would accept a fight with Randy Couture. (FiveOuncesofPain.com)
“I’m not saying that Fedor is a square, but I’m not Fedor.” – Rising prospect Mo Lawal, explaining his colorful personality. (FiveOuncesofPain.com)
“My management has been in contact with Affliction as well as the UFC.” – A rejuvenated Alistair Overeem, feeding rumors that he may end up in the Octagon. (Dream Fighters)