Bisping Picks Ferguson: “Tony is on an eight-fight win streak. The wonders that will do for your confidence is ridiculous.”

Los Angeles – UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian and guest host Michael Bisping interview Rafael Dos Anjos and Tony Ferguson and preview their upcoming headliner at FS1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT: DOS ANJOS VS. FERGUSON. Plus, they catch up with former women’s bantamweight champ Miesha Tate and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Karyn Bryant adds reports.

UFC TONIGHT guest host Michael Bisping on if he’s ducking Jacare: “Next week, Yoel and Weidman are fighting, so after that fight, either one of them, or Jacare, will be my next opponent. I’ve never ducked anyone. ”

Bisping on Tony Ferguson and Rafael Dos Anjos: “The reason why he has four performance bonuses is why you can’t miss a Tony Ferguson fight. His strikes are very effective, he’s very unpredictable and you don’t want to miss him in action. He’s got five submission victories. He’s fighting a guy who has a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, has very great striking and was looking unbeatable until he ran into Eddie Alvarez. This is a tough fight.”

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on Ferguson’s strengths and questions around Dos Anjos: “Tony’s tall for the division and rangy. He has an excellent jab. Even though Rafael has a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, I think Tony is more dangerous on the mat with his submission game. And he has the power to knock anyone out. For Rafael, there are some questions. How does he do with a different camp now that he’s left Kings MMA, and what about coming off a loss? He’s at his best when he’s when he’s moving forward. Both these guys are extremely aggressive.”

Florian on Dos Anjos’ keys to victory: “He puts a lot of pressure on fighters. He’s dangerous on the mat or on the feet. He’s got to back Ferguson up. He’s got to throw leg kicks and slow down Ferguson. He’s got to have good footwork and get in and out with his strikes.”

Bisping on Ferguson’s keys to victory: “He’s got the killer instinct. He’s got to use the forward pressure to back up RDA and put him against the fence. He’s got to get in the clinch with him to tie him up. He’s got to be unpredictable. That’s where he’s his best.”

Florian picking Dos Anjos to win: “Ferguson has a tendency to get sloppy and against Dos Anjos that will make him susceptible. I think Dos Anjos will have extra fire behind him.”

Bisping picks Ferguson to win: “I like RDA. The mental game is going to be tough with RDA. Tony is on an eight-fight win streak. The wonders that will do for your confidence is ridiculous.”

VIDEO: Strikezone and Predictions: UFC FIGHT NIGHT: DOS ANJOS VS. FERGUSON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoUdKF2K6lM

Rafael Dos Anjos on how he’ll fight against Ferguson: “I need to be me. I need to use my skills, be aggressive and patient. I have a lot of confidence I’ll get this victory.”

Dos Anjos on leaving his old fight camp: “I left Kings, but still have some good friends who are there. I’m no longer part of the team. I still have the same team of guys training with me. I’m happy and ready to get another win. I’m looking forward to starting my own team in the future.”

Dos Anjos on preparing for Ferguson’s fighting style: “Tony has a funky style, but like I said, I’ve got to be me, be aggressive and be first. I’ve fought better guys than him. I’ve been in three title fights and this is my fifth main event. His confidence is going to go against him.”

Dos Anjos on training in Mammoth, California for the high altitude of Mexico City: “It was very smart to train up in Mammoth. I spent three weeks in Mammoth, and one week here in Mexico City. The first week was terrible because Mammoth is even higher than Mexico City.”

Dos Anjos on if Ferguson is overlooking him: “He’s too overconfident. You can see the way he talks. He’s got eight wins straight, but he’s never faced anyone like me. I’m in the best shape of my life. It’s been a tough year for me, but I’m going to end this year with a victory.”

VIDEO: Interview: Rafael dos Anjos: I’ve fought better guys than Tony Ferguson before
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dacDgmfXAhc

Miesha Tate on what it’s like fighting the person she coached on The Ultimate Fighter – Raquel Pennington: “It was strange at first. It was the elephant in the room and we kind of knew that it was a possibility from the beginning. When the cage door closes, all that’s out the window and we’ve got to fight. We can be friends later.”

Tate on what Pennington offers: “She’s got good boxing. She’s hard to put away. She’s got a well-rounded game.”

Tate on what went wrong against Amanda Nunes: “Everything. I got caught with that right hand. I don’t remember much after that. I got to round two and didn’t have the strength or coordination in my body. Your brain was telling your body to do something but you couldn’t do it. I hope to not experience that again. I’m ready to get back in there.”

Tate on why she wants to fight Cyborg: “I didn’t say I want to, I said I would. People are saying I’m calling her out. No. Yes, I’d fight her, but show me the money. It’d be a wonderful opportunity. She’s tough and tenacious. It’d be great to take her out.”

VIDEO: Miesha Tate talks UFC 205, rematch with Amanda Nunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_7-VINNLnE

Donald Cerrone on fighting a bigger Kelvin Gastelum: “Maybe I’ll be faster and quicker. I’m confident in my ground game. Maybe I’ll take him down.”

Cerrone on fighting four times this year already: “I’m going for a fight on December 30 as well. I just keep training. Today’s opening day for turkey hunting and I’m upset I’m missing it.”

Cerrone if he’ll keep fighting at 155: “Yes, I’m going to keep fighting 155, 170 and 185. Who cares?”

Cerrone on who he wants to fight next: “I’d be glad to fight Nick Diaz. Anyone who wants to fight Dec. 30, if you’re out there and want a shot, let me know.”

Cerrone on if he’s jealous of Conor McGregor: “Probably, yeah. I don’t know about jealous. He puts asses in the seats, I give that to him. He goes out and wins, so I’m not going to bet against him. If I was Eddie I’d take him down and expose the ground game, but I’m picking Conor.”

VIDEO: Interview: Cowboy Cerrone says he’s jealous of Conor McGregor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SKHqHE6HKg