Cormier on Saint Preux: “He needs to stay compact and stop the takedowns from Teixeira.”

LOS ANGELES – Kenny Florian, Daniel Cormier and Karyn Bryant preview the upcoming FOX SPORTS 1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT and talk to headliner Glover Teixeira, who faces Ovince Saint Preux this Saturday. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo and CM Punk are also interviewed.

UFC TONIGHT host Daniel Cormier on how important Saturday’s headliner is for Ovince Saint Preux: “This is a big fight for Ovince Saint Preux. This is a step up to see if he should be a contender for the championship. This is a great test to see him fight against Glover Teixeira, who’s fought for the title against Jon Jones. In the fight, he needs to stay compact with his punches. He sometimes gets a little wild. He needs to mix in some takedowns just to keep Glover guessing. He loves to counter while moving back. His key is to use his footwork. He can’t get trapped by Glover. And to use the range, keep Glover back and stop the takedowns.”

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on Saint Preux’s advantages: “He’s the more athletic guy. He’s got the speed and reach, and he needs to use his long range weapons. He can’t be backing up against Teixeira.”

Florian on Teixeira’s strengths: “He’s more technical guy. He needs to use skills, pressure Saint Preux, get inside and back him up. He’s a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. His key is to use forward pressure and hit the takedowns. We saw what Bader did against Ovince with his wrestling. Glover needs to do the same thing.”

VIDEO: FOX Sports Strikezone / Predictions – Teixeira vs Saint Preux 

http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=499273795773

UFC light heavyweight Glover Teixeira on where he trained for this fight: “I stayed at home this time. I worked with my first boxing coach again. He’s doing a great job. I keep myself light and I’m in the best shape of my life.”

Teixeira on fighting Saint Preux: “He’s a powerful and dangerous fighter. You can’t sleep for a second with him. You have to keep moving. I have to work my way in and can’t get caught with the counter. He’s a good counterpuncher. I have to use my speed and ability to close the distance, take him down and ground and pound him.”

Teixeira on if he wants a fight against Cormier for the title next: “DC is a great guy and great champion. He did a great fight for the title. He deserved what he got, but I told him in Vegas: ‘Shine that belt, I’m coming for you, baby.’ Cormier, I’m fighting Saturday night, you watch the fight and let me know what you think.”

VIDEO: Teixeira Interview

http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=499233859554

CM Punk on how his training is going: “The training couldn’t be better. It’s hard and satisfying. I was driving back and forth from Chicago, and eventually, I was all in. To get to be where I need to be, I needed to move. I live five minutes from the gym now.”

Punk on what’s the hardest thing: “I knew what I was getting into. The hardest thing is balancing everything – jiu-jitsu, boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, my wife, my dog. Luckily my wife has been great. She loves Milwaukee now.”

Punk on when he’ll make his debut: “I definitely don’t want to wait too long. With all this press and talk, eventually they want me to fight. They’re filming the journey. They probably have enough film for a few episodes on FOX now. I’m not in a hurry. I want to make sure I’m prepared. I’m getting in a cage to fight another human being. I need to make sure I’m prepared to win.”

VIDEO: CM Punk Interview

http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=499266115891

Featherweight champion Jose Aldo on if pulling out of the UFC 189 title fight was a tough decision: “Yes, it was very difficult. It was a very important fight. It was a very important decision, but I made the right decision.”

Aldo on if he was impressed with Conor McGregor’s victory over Chad Mendes: “Not really. It was a good fight to watch. It’s exactly what I expected.”

Aldo on it bothers him to see McGregor with a belt: “Not really, it’s the interim belt. I’m the champion. I have the belt.”

Aldo’s message to McGregor: “When I’m with him in the cage, I’m going to run him over. He’s not even going to see what went over him.”

VIDEO: Jose Aldo Interview

http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=499252291709

UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on the main event at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia: “As reported, Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit will headline UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia. But the UFC is not sure which venue yet.”

Helwani on Anderson Silva’s Nevada hearing: “Anderson Silva is quite sure there are some inaccuracies in his drug tests and he’ll get off of everything. The disciplinary hearing is going to be held on August 13. Hopefully we’ll get some conclusion to this. Nick Diaz’s team has asked to reschedule his hearing.”

Helwani on a coaching change at Team Alpha Male: “I’ve confirmed with Martin Kampmann and Urijah Faber that Martin won’t be the head coach anymore. He plans on leaving by December. His family wants to move. Faber says things are going well with the team and they’re not in a rush to find a new coach.”

Helwani on several injury reports: “Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking to return in December. He hoped to return earlier, but needs more time to recover. Al Iaquinta needs knee surgery and is expected to be out six months.”

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 FOX Sports 1. Veteran UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian, light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant and five-time World MMA Awards Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani bring you all the news and analysis.