CORMIER ON WHY DIAZ WINS: “HE STILL PRESENTS THE SAME PROBLEMS FOR CONOR AS THE FIRST FIGHT, STYLE-WISE AND SIZE-WISE.”

LAS VEGAS – UFC TONIGHT hosts Kenny Florian and Daniel Cormier preview UFC 202: DIAZ VS. MCGREGOR 2 and interview headliners Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor. They also catch up with Anthony Johnson, Glover Teixeira and Donald Cerrone. Karyn Bryant adds reports.

 

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor at the press conference: “Nate Diaz showed some good head movement. Both guys were getting crazy. I wonder if this was planned by Nate. Nate didn’t want it to be about Conor. Showing up late was a little disrespectful. You got a rematch and you show up late like this? You could argue the reason that Conor lost the last fight was he got too emotional and was trying to knock him out. Maybe Diaz is starting that up again.”

 

UFC TONIGHT host Daniel Cormier on how McGregor can change his approach this fight: “It takes a very good fighter to slip the head and rip like he does and be so accurate. If Conor didn’t have the desire to knock Nate out so early, he probably would have had more success in the fight.”

 

Florian on Diaz’s keys to victory: “Nate has got to use the jab and keep McGregor on the outside. He’s got to back Conor up and not get countered. When he’s pressuring forward, he’s winning fights. And he needs to land the takedown. He’s got the big advantage on the mat.”

 

Cormier on McGregor’s keys to victory: “He’s got to be elusive, moving his head, countering and slipping, and keep his hands up a little more. He’s got to throw kicks. This can’t be a boxing match. He needs to use all his weapons. And he’s got to defend the takedown. He got dominated when he got taken down last time. He’s got to stay on this feet and use his speed advantage and his experience.”

 

Florian picks McGregor to win: “I’m going with Conor. His speed will be a difference, as his ability to slip outside, plus he’s had a full training camp. He’s got to be the faster guy and he’s got to do it for 25 minutes. And he’s got to be patient and smart.”

 

Cormier picks Diaz to win: “I believe he still presents the same problems for Conor as the first fight. And Nate’s had a full camp now. It’s a tough fight style-wise, size-wise.”

 

Cormier picks Anthony Johnson to beat Glover Teixeira: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Glover did it, but I think Anthony is going to take it. I believe the power early is going to be a problem.”

 

VIDEO: StrikeZone and Predictions: UFC 202: DIAZ VS. MCGREGOR 2

http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=746258499619

 

Nate Diaz on what happened at the press conference: “That guy walked in like he was the show, but I thought the show was over. So I left the show.”

 

Diaz on if the fight will be different with a full camp: “I always train harder than anyone. So I’m coming to win. That’s what I’m here for.”

 

Diaz on if he will take the fight to the ground: “I’m going in fighting. I’ve got the best standup in the game. And the best ground game. It’s a mixed martial arts fight. I’m going to fight.”

 

Diaz on what’s next for him: “I’m too real for this whole game. They can’t have a guy like me win. Look at what’s happening. I get paid finally, and they sell the UFC. It’s changing because of what’s going on. That’s why they threw me back in there, they want to weed me out and try to get me out of here. It’s already an unstoppable force that’s going. The game is in trouble with someone like me winning. They hope I don’t win. It’s all good. Either way, it’s kill or be killed. Win or lose, I plan on winning and my voice will be heard. I got too big not to be heard.”

 

VIDEO: Interview: Diaz is ready for his rematch with McGregor

http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=746236995677

 

Conor McGregor on what happened at the press conference: “I don’t know. I thought it was a case of dehydration. They were walking out, talking sh#t. I just defended myself. That’s it.”

 

McGregor on what he thought of the last fight: “I think he has skills. There’s no question. I won all the grappling exchanges up until that left landed and my tank was empty. As long as my tank is there, I’m prepared. There’s no doubt that I’m coming out successful. My jiu-jitsu has been great. I have areas I need to work on and I’ve worked tirelessly on them.”

 

VIDEO: Interview: McGregor is highly confident he will avenge his loss to Diaz

http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=746258499617

 

Anthony Johnson on if he sees any weaknesses in Glover Teixeira’s game: “Not really. He’s got pretty tight boxing and his wrestling is solid. I don’t see too many weaknesses.”

 

Johnson on how he’s addressed his weaknesses: “I’ve been working hard. I’m working on my wrestling, grappling more and I’m always working on my cardio. I hold my breath with my punches in the fight and you know how that catches up with you. But I’m ready for anything.”

 

Johnson on what’s next: “We worked our butts off to get a crack at Cormier again. We all work hard. We don’t have time to sit back and wait on anyone. It’s a short career.”

 

VIDEO: Interview: Johnson doesn’t see many weaknesses in Teixeira

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxnR9gyEBP0

 

Glover Teixeira on how he’ll fight Johnson’s power: “You just have to watch out. He’s a very dangerous fighter. The punch that hurts the most is the one that you don’t see. I just have to pressure him, like you did, Cormier.”

 

Teixeira on if he’s intimidated by fighters: “I’m not intimidated by any fighter. We all respect each other. Me and Anthony talked backstage today. It doesn’t matter how nice you are, the day of the fight I’m going to try to take his head off, and he’s going to do the same thing.”

 

VIDEO: Interview: Teixeira: “The key to beating Johnson is pressure.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY0KwpFFU4k

 

Donald Cerrone on what he thinks of Rick Story’s style: “Rick comes forward and has good body shots. He’s shorter than me and susceptible to body shots, knees and head kicks. He’ll try wrestling. His ground game is terrible and his striking elementary. I’m better everywhere and I’m going to go out there and showcase my skills.”

 

Cerrone on what’s next: “I’m coming after Alvarez. Eddie, New York City, let’s make that happen.”

 

VIDEO: Interview: Cerrone believes he’s better than Story in every area

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_lj67zkvts

 

For notes, coverage, bios, photography and more, visit the FOX UFC page on FOX Sports Press Pass.

UFC TONIGHT

UFC TONIGHT is the official weekly news and information show of the Ultimate Fighting Championship on FS1. Veteran UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian, light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant bring you all the news and analysis.