Pena
-training @ AKA for ufc debut
-got injury on tuf series early on in the show (foot injury), was annoyed since
everyone got their shot and he did not after his tuf series win.
-says his opponent smullens injury said it was a an overtraining issue
so smullens kidneys broke down and body broke down but he respects his opponent.
-grappled with smullen on tuf series, feels a great match up for him says
both similar fighters but will see who backs down first not bothered with smullen
training @ SBG (lobov, connor mcgregor crew etc)
-been @ aka since early may, training ever since
-adam piccolotti main sparring partner (bellator prospect) worked with MT coach and dc and
2 great mma wrestlers, shawn from LFA.
-says his wrestling has come along nicely but is also improving his striking alot.
-cant see smullen out striking him, but is aware of smullens dangerous leg locks.
wants to get in his face and keep his legs away from him and get a ko.
Smullen
http://www.punditarena.com/mma/ccunningham/exploring-irish-mma-part-ii-richie-smullen/
-got Rhabdomyolysis, CK protein went into
blood stream and kidneys and body broke down so was unable to compete for tuf series fight.
-got legs massaged and then found out that makes it worse.
-went back home to ireland around march 4th after
tuff series and trained in gym daily.
-expects to be in the best shape ever for tuf
fight debut.
-pena oppnonet is legit, has good wrestling
and ji jitsu and good striking but I believe I have all those things also.
-if anyone attempts to grapple with me they are in for a long night.
-smullen goes on to say his ground skillset is that good.
-works with SBG- Connor Mcgregor and lobov
-family, girlfriend and friends flying over to watch ufc debut/
-will come out forward with hands up high and will take pena down and submit him.
Steven peterson
-fighting during internation fight week, big coverage due for this fight so loves it
-felt won rounds 1, 2 but not 3 against davis last fight but the knee in r3 got him 50k
-he is always coming forward and in your face and is the man of steel, does not stick and move and play games.
-opponent matt is a scrappy dude, makes a great fight should be best fight of night.
-will not say too much about game plan but will showcase his striking with a ko, hes going down.
-went to ufc pi and got tested, and learned to recover and show up best version on fight day
-with 50k bonus started a cryo treatment facility, allows him to recover much better
-does a chat or pod cast with some other fighters popping on it
-on point could make weight tommorow, never been an issue even on short notice can hit 145
-matt will come to bang but its not him going down
Matt bessette
-geting into ufc very happy, did not want to go else where can concentrate now on improvements
-improving slowly inbetween fights, but due to level of competition not major but did concentrate on areas a little where he was not as good
-went to a boxing gym to spar with high level pro boxers, 11-0 pro boxer and matt another long rangey boxer
-boxing has improved the most sine feb 2018 to present
-spent 2-3 times a week with wrestlers just to clean up his wrestling. Was ok at wrestling before but needed slight improvements
-considers himself a boxer wrestler now
-says opponent steven is good, chin down and hands up and punchs hard, but says his style is straight forward and he can game plan
easily for him.
-is currently 2 pounds less then before so weight cut is going better then last time.
-striking coach and manager in corner and a doctor also
-has 3 fight ufc contract still.
Julian Marquez
-enjoying double breakfast at ufc pi
-keeping busy, dancing, charities
-knows eryk anders (ufc fighter) did training at syndicate mma
did training with him also for this camp.
-didnt want this lay off but got the call so was more then ready
-ufc did try to book the alessio fight but on very
short notice earlier but julian wanted a longer camp and
was in middle of family duties
-expects alessio to take him down and not stand with him
and is ready for the ground game or stand up.
-use to 15 minutes of hard work so match up is perfect
-not worried about the investigation work on opponent
lets coaches do it, more focused on his strengths and weaknesses
-went xtreme courture and syndicate(MT fighter)to train and some decent 185ers
so was great and ufc pi also. Trained with
a ji jitsu fighter also, Got more focused
training at ufc pi also.
-zak cummings will corner him since hes worked and trained
with him whole career.
-will land his boxing combinations and will frustrate allesio, expects him to go for take downs
but will pop back up also.
-grew up with a wrestling from one fight to another so is use to it.
Montano de la rosa
-had pratice few hours ago and has to teach a class soon
-wanted a ufc fight but they could not find anyone, lots of 125ers trying atm
-trained with rachael on tuf, but knows shes very tough but expects to finish her.
Suggest her skill set is better then hers in any area.
-christina williams(bellator wmma) was her sparring and training partner, gin and few other amatuers she works with
-worked at home, has a good ji jitsu system and training system so stuck with it.
-been on diet, long time to train so plenty of time to cut down.
-mark husband (mma fighter), cobello in corner
-wants to strike, but it will probably go on the ground and wants to submit her opponent as she often does.
Rachael Ostovich
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4jyxPvPmw
-loved tuf series experience, been her dream and wish could go back. In touch still with deanna and few others.
-getting ufc debut and dominate win in r1 was a dream come true
-was in good shape and wanted a quick turn around but everything has its time and place so took the time to work
on conditioning and improving herself.
-knew she was going to fight rosa at one point, since both won there first fights but not 2nd to get thru to next round.
-loves rosa but gotta do what you gotta do, says rosa is well rounded and she is the same. Both great in all areas but
styles make good match ups so excited for this fight.
-trains with some of the guys but had a women fighter that matches her same reach and height to prepare her with distance,
timing for this fight.
-use to struggle with weight cuts but past 18 months its been better. Has put on more muscle this camp, but had to eat more to get to right weight levels so is happy with it.
-mum will be in her corner
-expects a win but expects it to go anywhere
Israel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHlNepbUWqw
-in the gym, just signing off his medicals to be cleared for this fight
-happy to be main card since all the hard work has paid off
-wants to take out no 10 guy here to get further.
-disapointed against vett and heard he reckons he won but blames himself a bit for not stopping him, said he had another 2 rounds left
in him an wished he had the chance to finish it more.
-believes no one has a chin but people have thresholds, but everyone has a button to find and couldnt find in vetts last time.
-not watched much of brads fight just his last fight.
-Brad is a solid competitor but he is much easier to read then vett was, his coaches do the game plan and research though.
suggest he is good to read on the fly with opponents, seen brads moves all the times but is strong with his basics but it makes him easier to beat but harder to beat too.
-worked with same guys, just done wrestling and ji jitsu classes and no some pad work.
-worked with daniel hooker for this fight since both guys are fighting similar time.
-eating crispy cremes, eats whatever he wants but does eat good stuff too, but waits 3 weeks out for the weight cut since its easy for him now.
-expects the fight wont be a walk in the park but hes read brad many times, he will adjust to any new things he brings expects his best performance here.
-want top 10, will enjoy taking his spot and will go up but not bothered with rankings always
-doesn't want to overestimate brad still, wants winner of hall/costa next