Fox Sports 1 UFC Fight Night Postfight Show
LOS ANGELES, CA – The following quotes and videos are from tonight’s FOX SPORTS 1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT POSTFIGHT SHOW hosted by Ariel Helwani, with light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, Brian Stann and former lightweight champion Anthony Pettisproviding analysis. Karyn Bryant conducted interviews.
FOX UFC analyst Brian Stann on TJ Dillashaw’s victory over Renan Barao: “We saw the versatility of the champion. Dillashaw showed another style that he could bring to the table. He started in the southpaw stance and stood in front of Barao and traded with him. Barao showed some improvements at the beginning of the fight. But Dillashaw was willing to stand and exchange with him. His jab was lightning fast. Dillashaw showed his hand speed difference was evident from round one and he landed three and four punches at a time. He beat Barao to the punch time and time again. As the fight wore on, Barao got very tired. This performance showed Dillashaw can beat you in another way that we haven’t seen before.”
FOX UFC analyst Anthony Pettis on Dillashaw’s dominance over Barao: “That was his best performance, yet. He ultimately broke Barao’s confidence with his speed. Dillashaw showed his own confidence through the fight. He was mixing it up. I’m more impressed with this performance than his last.”
FOX UFC analyst Daniel Cormier on Dillashaw switching to southpaw stance: “When he switches stance, now his power hand is in front and he started his punches with it from that stance. Then his left hook really delivered. He didn’t mind getting hit a little because he knew Barao wouldn’t beat him.”
Pettis on why switching stance is hard for the opponent: “It confuses your opponent. It takes a lot of time for them to adjust to it. Their defense has to be opposite. What Dillashaw did tonight shows how much Duane Ludwig is working with him.”
VIDEO: Highlights of TJ Dillashaw’s victory over Renan Barao.
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TJ Dillashaw on if he was happy with his performance: “I should have used more movement and got hit a little more than I wanted to in the beginning. I stood there and traded with him.”
Dillashaw on what he thought his strengths were: “I knew I was faster than him and I wanted to stand there and surprise him. I think he expected me to switch and get more angles. I wanted to stay on him and not give him a break.”
Dillashaw on what he prepared for differently for this rematch: “Our plan was don’t try to outperform yourself. We worked on some things that needed to be tightened up. We wanted to be fast and be first.”
Dillashaw on his confidence: “My cardio is awesome. I have confidence being the champion, you go in there with the idea you can’t lose and you believe in myself. Peace out Barao, I don’t have to deal with him for a while.”
Dillashaw on staying in southpaw stance: “I don’t even know when I do it anymore, I just do what feels best and is working. My angles are working better. It’s just so fluid.”
Dillashaw on if he wants to fight Dominick Cruz next: “If he stays healthy. I don’t know if he can. Come on Dominick. Let’s get after it. He used to be the champ.”
VIDEO: Dillashaw Interview
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Cormier on Miesha Tate’s victory over Jessica Eye: “She was winning, controlling the fight, She was throwing her overhand right and she knocked Jessica Eye down several times. Eye was great at fading back and returning punches, but then Eye was leaving her chin up in the air during the exchanges.”
Pettis on Eye’s mistakes: “Her chin was up in air, and she was making small mistakes early on. Then it started to snowball. Tate has the power and aggression on the ground. Jessica really had nothing there. Jessica is an up-and-comer.”
Stann on Tate’s improvement: “Miesha’s been doing the weight training and has increased her strength. Now she has the one-punch power and can deliver damage.”
VIDEO: Highlights of Miesha Tate’s unanimous decision victory over Jessica Eye
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Miesha Tate on making an adjustment in her fight: “I felt like first 30 seconds, I had to adjust. I sat into my striking and turned my takedowns into an overhand right. I’m going to need that against Ronda.”
Tate on needing to get a little injured to get into a fight: “I feel like if I get hurt, I don’t run away from it, I bring it harder and I step it up. I’ve worked a lot with striking in our camp. I felt way more power.”
Tate on if cornering her boyfriend Bryan Caraway in his prelim fight was a distraction for her fight: “I liked it. It took my mind off my fight for a while. I would have just be sitting in my hotel room anyway. I felt really good about it.”
Tate on improving her style: “I finally showed that I have power in my hands. I’m doing things to make me better. I have some of the best grappling in the division and now I have power in my striking.”
VIDEO: Miesha Tate and Bryan Caraway interview
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UFC President Dana White on Dillashaw vs. Barao: “I had a lot of questions about Barao, but he looked good tonight. TJ was a little better. He stayed in the pocket and traded punches with him. TJ beat him tonight.”
White on if Dillashaw will fight Dominick Cruz next: “Dominick is always hurt. If he’s healthy, he’s the guy. But he’s not healthy often.”
White on Tate’s performance earning a title shot: “She’s fought her way back to Ronda, Jessica was shredding her in the first round and she walked through her and made it a fight. She looked awesome. I’m in awe how tough she is.”
White on Paul Felder vs. Edson Barboza: “That fight was the most incredible technical fight. It was incredible. I think this fight takes Felder to another level. Even though he lost, this was a good experience for a young guy.”
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