Los Angeles – The following quotes and videos are from tonight’s FS1 UFC 199 POSTFIGHT SHOW on FS1 hosted by Jay Glazer, with Kenny Florian, Tyron Woodley and Aljamain Sterling providing analysis. Megan Olivi conducted interviews.
FOX UFC analyst Kenny Florian on Michael Bisping defeating Luke Rockhold for the middleweight championship: “Muhammad Ali said you have to believe in yourself and that’s what Bisping did – he beat a guy who was one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. He stayed in boxing range. Luke was too confident and didn’t respect the speed and power of Bisping. What a great performance to stay in the proper range and not allow Luke to deliver the kicks.”
FOX UFC analyst Tyron Woodley on the UFC 199: “We talked about confidence going into this night. Max Holloway, Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping – they all went out there with confidence. It’s different when you believe it. Bisping stayed in range and kept punching. This was like Weidman beating Anderson. He missed with the first punch but then caught him with the next. Boxing range is middle distance. Luke likes the clinching distance and also likes staying outside and using his length. But Bisping stayed in the middle and delivered the punches.”
FOX UFC analyst Aljamain Sterling on what Rockhold did wrong in the fight: “It looked like Luke didn’t want to pull the trigger. He was tentative and taking his time and instead let Bisping beat him to the punch. Once Mike caught him, the stayed on him.”
VIDEO: Bisping vs. Rockhold Highlights
Michael Bisping on winning the title: “I’m on top of the world right now! I’ve strived for this my whole life. I’ve always been a fighter. I believed I could do it. I wanted this rematch so bad. I wanted to title so bad. When the opportunity came up on two weeks’ notice, I had to take it. I feel like I’ve always over-trained for my fights so the shorter camp was good. My power was better tonight.”
Bisping on his training camp: “It was the easiest two weeks of my life. I was drinking beer on a movie set three weeks ago. This was the easiest camp, the easiest fight, the easiest payday. Thanks Luke.”
Bisping on if he’s surprised he won the belt: “I’ve always known I was at this level. I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve lost some fights along the way. I don’t want to get in the performance-enhancing-drugs stage of my career. I always knew I had the ability.”
Bisping on delivering the KO: “I was reading his shots very well. I could see it coming. He was telegraphing his movements. I’m actually left handed and have more power with my left hand, but I stand orthodox when I fight. When I landed the first one, I knew I had to finish it. I got a couple more shots on him. He was out. I went to shake his hand afterward and he said he had already shook my hand. I said don’t be bitter after I took your belt.”
Bisping on getting inspiration working for FOX Sports: “I’ve got to thank the UFC TONIGHT show. I’ve gotten to sit there with Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz and they had belts and it pissed me off. I wanted one, too.”
VIDEO: Michael Bisping Interview
Luke Rockhold on why he lost: “It was underestimating him and over-committing with a jab. I got caught. I didn’t see him have anything. He didn’t hit hard. It’s not about hitting hard, it’s about hitting at the right spot. He got me on the chin. I’d love nothing more than a rematch, to get my belt back.”
VIDEO: Luke Rockhold says he ‘underestimated’ Michael Bisping
http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=699245123834
Florian on how Dominick Cruz dominated Urijah Faber to keep the belt: “He always brings in confusion and movement. He also brought in power this fight. The division should be ready for him. This guy had such a long layoff, but he still has a style that is so hard to read and will give everyone problems. He’s feinting and it’s hard to tell what’s a feint and what’s real. It’s so confusing.”
Woodley on how Cruz is still improving: “Cruz had the footwork and made Faber miss time and time again. But it’s also about power and timing. He sent Faber to the canvas two different times. I talked to his coach earlier this week and he said Dominick has had two training camps back to back and now has more power. He’s back into a groove and has the power he once had.”
Sterling on how Cruz confused Faber and what Faber could have done: “I think Faber had a game plan at the beginning of the fight that started to work, but he changed and started headhunting. Cruz uses a horseshoe pattern and it’s really hard to stop that. Maybe you have to target legs and aim for the larger target, aim for the chest, to try to slow him down. It’s hard to hit a target that’s always moving.”
VIDEO: Highlights: Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber
Dominick Cruz on his performance: “I think I could have had him out of there a couple of times, but he hung in there with some wrestling. But I can’t complain. I got the job done.”
Cruz on wrestling with Faber: “I had to show him you have to respect me.”
Cruz on the bantamweight division: “The division looks better than ever. That makes me happy. Everyone’s talking about it.”
VIDEO: Dominick Cruz Interview
VIDEO: Highlights: Max Holloway vs. Ricardo Lamas
http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=699164739834
VIDEO: Highlights: Dan Henderson vs. Hector Lombard
VIDEO: Highlights: Dustin Poirier vs. Bobby Green
VIDEO: Brock Lesnar is returning to the Octagon
http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=699235395586
VIDEO: Conor McGregor will fight Nate Diaz at UFC 202
http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=699235395588