Bisping on Fighting Georges St-Pierre: “I want this fight for my legacy.

Los Angeles – On UFC TONIGHT, host Kenny Florian and guest host Michael Bisping preview the upcoming UFC 209: WOODLEY VS. THOMPSON 2. The crew catches up with headliners Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson, along with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. Plus, Karyn Bryant adds reports.

UFC TONIGHT guest host Michael Bisping on how the fight with Georges St-Pierre came about: “This fight was offered me last October, but it didn’t work out. Then I got a call a week ago from Dana White and was offered the fight. GSP is a legendary fighter. He’s one of the biggest pay-per-view draws. This is a no-brainer. If you’re Yoel Romero, Luke or Jacare, I know if you were offered this fight, you’d take this fight. I want this fight for my legacy. I’ve beaten Dan Henderson and Anderson Silva. Georges St-Pierre is another legend that I want to add to my resume.”

UFC TONIGHT guest host Michael Bisping on Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson 2: “In the first fight, Tyron was successful with his right hand. He actually dropped Wonderboy with that. But he wasn’t busy enough. This time he has to push forward, close the distance and get a takedown. In the first fight, he landed a takedown in the first round and held him down the whole round. Woodley should use the right hand to set up the takedown.”

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on how Woodley should approach the rematch with Thompson: “Tyron needs to be busy with takedowns, but not too busy. More than anything else, if Wonderboy expects the takedown, it shuts down his offense. So the threat of the takedown will serve Tyron well.”

Florian on what Thompson can change this time around: “Thompson does very well establishing range with his kicks and he uses many different kicks. He needs more volume in this fight. In the last fight, he didn’t throw enough volume at Woodley.”

Florian on Woodley’s keys to victory: “Key number one, Woodley has got to utilize the feints. Key two, he’s got to land the takedowns. And three, he’s got to throw counterstrikes. He’s got to counter-strike the counter striker.”

Bisping on Thompson’s keys to victory: “First, Thompson has to stop the takedown. Then, he has to use his footwork, which will help stop the takedown, and use the space in the Octagon. And finally, he’s got to vary his attack. He has an array of striking and has to use them.”

Bisping picks Woodley to win: “I think Woodley will learn from the first fight. He’ll push forward more and get the takedowns.”

Florian picks Woodley to stay champion: “I think seeing Thompson for 25 minutes in the first fight is a big advantage for Woodley. He’ll make some nice adjustments.”

VIDEO: UFC 209 Predictions
http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video/887801411659

Tyron Woodley on his relationship with Thompson: “It’s fight week, we’re professionals. When they lock us in the Octagon, I’m going to play T-ball with his head.”

Woodley on his relationship with Dana White after being called a drama queen: “I called the apple an apple. It takes one to know one. You might be a drama queen, yourself.”

Woodley on not wanting the rematch with Thompson: “It’s not that I looked for another opponent. When other guys are interested in fighting you, you have to entertain those guys. I walked away thinking I won, but I knew I’d have to face him again at some point.”

Woodley on why he’s been an underdog in his last three fights: “People in Vegas like to lose money, I guess. I do pretty good as the underdog.”

Stephen Thompson on if he thought he won the first fight: “Tyron definitely won the first and fourth rounds. I felt like I had the second, third and fifth rounds and the fight. I finished out on top and I thought I won it.”

Thompson on if he learned a lesson from the first fight: “I did learn a lot about myself in that fight. I didn’t get to take that belt back to South Carolina, but whoever steps in that Octagon with me is in for a hell of a fight.”

Thompson on Woodley not wanting to take the fight: “He knows he’s got to fight me one more time, and that’s scary. That might have gotten in his head. That’s an advantage for me. I want to fight the best Woodley in the world and put on a war.”

VIDEO: Interview: Thompson on headlining UFC 209
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18TTJH2sTp0

Bisping on Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson: “Tony is a guy who’s getting better and better and getting more confidence. He’s very unpredictable. He’s willing to take risks. He wanted this title shot for a long time. But Khabib has the best takedowns in the game, and he has unbelievable ground and pound.”

Bisping picks Ferguson: “This could go two ways. Khabib hold him down and grind out a decision or Tony wins by a submission. I believe Tony wins by a decision.”

Florian on why Ferguson wins: “Tony has gone five rounds before, at altitude. I like his reach and his ability to defend on the ground. I’m going with Tony.”

Tony Ferguson on if he took Nurmagomedov’s offer that he’d pay him for the fight: “Absolutely not. I told him to wipe my ass with it. I said donate it, I don’t want your money. I want the UFC’s money.”

Ferguson on Nurmagomedov being a one-trick pony: “He’s a lay-and-pray guy, like Danny Castillo, and lets it go to the judges. When I’m done with him, he’s going to retire. He’s never seen a fighter like me. I keep my elbows sharp like a meat grinder. If this guy tries to take me down, he’s going to mess with 20 years of USA grappling here. I’m going to bring it to him.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov on where the hatred for Ferguson came from: “I don’t know. I don’t feel nothing about him. I don’t like him a little bit. But we have to give him respect. His skills, his win streak, his ground game and striking. I don’t want to underestimate this guy. I want to finish this guy.”

Nurmagomedov on if he changes his training camp for every fight: “I change my training camp for every fight. I trained for Michael Johnson with a lot of boxing guys. For this fight, I trained for everything. I’m ready. I’m the best shape in my life.”

VIDEO: Interview: Nurmagomedov previews his fight vs. Tony Ferguson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De6Y0IXp_mc