UFC 85: Pre-fight Press Conference

by Nick Thomas on Jun 5, 2008 2:44 PM EDT

Matt Hughes and Thiago Alves gave little away ahead of their showdown, Marcus Davis threatened violence while Jason Day attempted to play down the immense atmosphere that is building at London’s o2 Arena. Hughes promised a return to ‘the old Matt Hughes’ this Saturday – pinpointing a change in attitude and training regime as his reason for confidence.

Alves remained cool, kept his cards close to his chest – merely stating every fight is different.

Bisping promised not to let the crowd affect him like it did in his last fight in England against Matt Hamill. Day insisted he doesn’t mind playing the bad guy.

The greatest challenge came from Davis, who claimed he would kick the piss out of Swick and expected the same attitude from his opponent.

Swick revealed his relief at finally getting an exciting opponent, and he predicted he would win the fight – no matter where it ended up.

HT: SetantaSports.com

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man I might have to revise my pics

I’m really like the cut of Davis’ jib.

by Kid Nate on Jun 5, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

On the horizon?

Matt Hughes used to be, and arguably still is, a huge UFC poster-boy. Im just wondering if he loses, whats next for him? I remember on TUF he mentioned the end of his career not being too far off (something about only 3 or 4 fights left). I dont know if that has changed since then, and losing to GSP, but if he loses Saturday night, his career is in great question with me.

by WiltChamberlain on Jun 5, 2008 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

Serra's Next

Win or lose, according to Hughes.

by FRANKIE on Jun 5, 2008 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Which makes sense...

neither guy needs to be coming off a win for that fight to work.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

"The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls and looking like hard work." -- Thomas Edison

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 5, 2008 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s rare, but it’s one of those grudge matches that sells itself regardless of the records or streaks of the fighters coming in. It’s kinda like Liddell-Silva; some few people said it would have been better had one/both still been champ, but for the most part, everyone just wanted to see them throw down.

I mean, I hate Serra and Hughes. I’ll watch the match just for that reason – as long as someone gets a beating, I’m happy!

by AJB on Jun 5, 2008 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Thats a good point, I completely forgot about Serra. For arguments sake, say Hughes beats Alves, then goes on to beat Serra. Do you think that justifies a title shot assuming GSP is still champ? What if Fitch beats GSP?

by WiltChamberlain on Jun 5, 2008 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

They’ll be reluctant to make another Hughes v. St. Pierre because they’ve done a “trilogy” already, and the winner is really, really clear. Given that GSP is young and getting better all the time and Hughes – not saying he sucks – is struggling to maintain his level of dominance, it would be viewed as a mismatch. As long as GSP is champ, Hughes is to him what Franklin is to Anderson Silva.

If Fitch beats GSP, Dana White’s head will explode. But beyond that, it totally opens the floodgates in the WW division and throws the whole thing into chaos. Everyone from Hughes to Diego to Karo to Davis would have a legitimate shot. But that’s really unlikely.

by AJB on Jun 5, 2008 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs