The UFC will be hosting a conference call today at 2 p.m. ET to promote UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber 2. Scheduled to appear on the call are titular fighters Dominick Cruz (UFC bantamweight champion) and Urijah Faber, plus former Pride middleweight kingpin Wanderlei Silva and Ultimate Fighter vanguard Chris Leben. No word on whether UFC President Dana White will participate.
Follow Mike Fagan on Twitter for live updates, and check back here after the call for a full recap of the proceedings.
Cruz’s fight with Faber marks the first time he will defend his bantamweight title since the UFC/WEC merger. The two originally met in March of 2007, when Faber defended his WEC featherweight title with a submission victory.
Silva, recovering from knee surgery, hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision victory over Michael Bisping in February of 2010. Leben returns after a TKO loss to Brian Stann on New Year’s Day. His only previous KO loss came at the hands (and knees) of Anderson Silva in Silva’s debut with the UFC in June of 2006.
Dominick Cruz
-I do a pretty good job of not making it emotional in my brain.
-You can see a big difference in my skills, etc. since our first fight.
-I’ve been given the opportunity to represent the 135-lb. class for the first time in the main event. It’ s an honor.
-Really, though, it’s the same ritual and preparation that I had in the WEC.
-I do a lot of mental preparation for fights, and I’m confident in the mental preparation I’ve done for this fight.
-I weighed less at 145 than I do now at 135.
-I definitely think the larger cage is great for me.
-I don’t hate the guy, I just want to prove I’m a better fighter. We’re not going to hang out at his afterparty, though.
-Fighting fixes everything.
Urijah Faber
-In a real situation, I would only fight someone if I didn’t like them, so it makes it easier.
-I’m sure will shake hands and get on. I think beating the crap out of each other is good therapy.
-For the record, last time we fought we didn’t become friends afterward.
-Everyone saw my hands improve in the Pulver fight. I’m smaller, faster, nearer my peak competition weight.
-I feel like I’m in the prime of my life.
-My lifestyle and demeanor are that I really like what I’m doing all the time. I’ve had 29 fights, 21 were for a title.
-I’ve lost to four people. All of which are bigger and/or considered the best at some point.
-I handle wins and losses well. We’ll see how Cruz handles a loss.
-(in response to Cruz saying “fighting fixes everything”): That’s the opposite of what my mom use to say, but we’ll see.
Wanderlei Silva
-It’s been a hard year for me. Leben is a good opponent for me because Leben won’t run.
-I like to be inside the Octagon; I’ve fought my entire life. I have unbelievable support from my fans.
-Cordeiro has 16 guys in Strikeforce/UFC. He has a great camp over there. I train with them, they kick my ass every day
-We can put on the best fight of the year. I don’t know him, but I love money. I want the fight of the night.
Chris Leben
-I think I just got a little comfortable (against Stann). I underestimated Brian Stann.
-I think the biggest thing was my diet. I came in a little heavy, and I cut too much weight.
-I’m very excited to fight Wanderlei, and I’m a little scared too.
-(in regards to getting the Wanderlei fight) Be careful what you wish for.
-Yeah, I was a little ill going into the Stann fight, but that’s my fault. I ate some candy after weighing in. That was a mistake.
-This is going to be my 19th UFC fight. I don’t lose my belief in myself after a loss.
-When I started fighting, it was to prove to myself. Now, I have a gym, and I try to provide an example for my students.
-As long as my body lets me, I don’t see why I’d stop fighting
-I’ll be honest, I don’t like fighting. I like the training, and the other benefits.
-I’m so excited to fight Wanderlei. He’s one of my heroes. I used to get bootleg Pride videos. Try to emulate him.
-Yeah, kinda (I’ve always hated fighting). I tell people I look across the cage and think, “What am I doing?”
-For me it’s the continuous cycle of training, improving my skills, and fighting. That’s my gauge, my measuring stick.
-It’s pretty easy to switch gears when they start swinging at you. I don’t think anymore, I react.
UFC 132 Card
Pay-Per-View
Bantamweight: Dominick Cruz (c) vs. Urijah Faber
Middleweight: Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben
Light Heavyweight: Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader
Welterweight: Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Lightweight: Dennis Siver vs. Matt WimanPreliminary
Lightweight: Melvin Guillard vs. Shane Roller
Lightweight: George Sotiropoulos vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Bantamweight: Brian Bowles vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Middleweight: Brad Tavares vs. Aaron Simpson
Lightweight: Anthony Njokuani vs. Andre Winner
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