Cormier on Johnson: “I’m going to break his spirit and dominate him again.”

Los Angeles – On UFC TONIGHT, host Kenny Florian and guest host Tyron Woodley interview UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier about his upcoming title defense at UFC 210 and catch up with lightweight contender Tony Ferguson. Plus, Karyn Bryant adds reports.

UFC TONIGHT guest host Tyron Woodley on offering to fight Michael Bisping: “I think Georges St-Pierre is playing games with us. He didn’t want to fight me, so he went up to middleweight, then mentioned going down to lightweight. Michael Bisping, I stand by my offer, ten toes down. If you want to get it on July 8, I’ll be there and I’ll be ready.”

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on if Bisping will fight Georges St-Pierre in July: “I’m hearing the Bisping – Georges St-Pierre fight isn’t going to happen in July. So Bisping, we’ll learn pretty quickly if you’re going to fight Yoel in July.”

Woodley on Daniel Cormier’s dominance of the light heavyweight division: “I think he’s the king of the division because he’s the king of the grind. He gets in your face and he discourages opponents. He takes away their gifts, takes them down, lands uppercuts and overhands, and pins them up against the cage. He makes it claustrophobic fight. At the end of the day, he a finisher.”

Florian on Cormier’s edge: “He’s the king of the grind and he’s a smart fighter who knows how to adapt. He adapted well in that first round against Anthony Johnson in their first fight. When it comes to the wrestling, if gets in on your legs, there’s no one more efficient and technical with the takedown than DC. He also possesses power.”

Woodley on Johnson’s power to knock people out: “He’s the hardest pound-for-pound puncher in the entire UFC. He’s vicious. He’s a scary fighter. If he comes forward and lands one punch, he can put any athlete to sleep.”

Florian on Johnson’s chances against Cormier: “He came back after losing to Daniel and won three in a row in impressive fashion. He’s the most prolific knockout artist in the UFC. The question is, what kind of adjustments has he made in his wrestling and jiu-jitsu game? It comes down to if he gets taken down, he needs a solution to get back to his feet quickly.”

Daniel Cormier on training with his UFC TONIGHT co-host Kenny Florian: “He’s great. The guy’s a third-degree black belt for a reason. There are little details he showed me that I’ve implemented with a lot of success in my sparring already. In the past, Kenny would send me fight breakdowns. Now he’s made his presence known at AKA. I value Kenny as a friend, as a partner and now as a coach.”

Cormier on what he learned from the first fight with Johnson: “He was a lot faster than I thought. I’m anticipating a much better Rumble. He’s going to address the areas I gave him problems in. I’m going to beat him a lot worse than the first time. I know who he is. He’s a big dangerous guy, but I’m not afraid of him and I’m going to break his spirit and dominate him again.”

Cormier on how he’s going to close the gap and avoid the big punch: “Last time I was reacting to strikes to take him down. Now I want to take the initiative. He’s either going to spaz out or be patient. If he’s patient, I’ll run him over. I’ll charge at him and demolish him. If he’s spazzes out, it makes him more dangerous.”

VIDEO: Interview: Daniel Cormier previews his UFC 210 fight vs. Anthony Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C3e0J4vP0g

Tony Ferguson on predicting Khabib Nurmagomedov was going to miss weight at UFC 209: “I didn’t have inside info. I know my opponent. This is the third time I’ve had to read him. Before the weigh-ins, this dude already looked sucked up. I felt a lot better than this guy did. I thought: Have fun with that weight cut.”

Ferguson on if he’d try to fight Nurmagomedov a fourth time: “I would love to have the fight, but putting up with the camp again, it puts a salty taste in my mouth. It’s like swimming in the ocean. You know it’s good for you, but it doesn’t taste good. Yes, it’s a fight I want and it’s a fight that fans want to see. There would have to be some assurances in place.”

Ferguson on if he would be satisfied fighting for the title if Conor McGregor gave it up: “It doesn’t matter. It depends on where McGregor’s heart is. I want to fight someone who wants to fight. I want to fight a top contender. I’ve put in my fights. If he wants to pursue victory in boxing, then vacate the belt and we’ll fight for the belt at International Fight Week against someone else. The only person I’d really like to go toe-to-toe with is Nate Diaz.”

Ferguson on what drinks he’d make for fighters: For Conor McGegor: “An Irish Coffee so he could wake up and realize he’s not going to beat Floyd Mayweather.” For Nurmagomedov: “A Screwdriver because he’s screwed me over twice.” For Nate Diaz: He’s from the hood – maybe a Colt 45 or Cobra.”

VIDEO: Interview: Tony Ferguson knew Khabib Nurmagomedov would miss weight at UFC 209
http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video/909422659549

VIDEO: Tony Ferguson demonstrates a D’Arce choke with Kenny Florian
http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video/909419587910