LOS ANGELES – UFC TONIGHT hosts Daniel Cormier and Kenny Florian preview Sunday’s UFC FIGHT NIGHT: OVEREEM VS. ARLOVSKI and catch up with headliners Alistair Overeem and Andrei Arlovski. They also talk to UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate. Karyn Bryant adds reports.
UFC TONIGHT host Daniel Cormier on Alistair Overeem’s current state and what Andrei Arlovski chances against him: “Alistair Overeem has finally found his groove in the UFC. The win over Junior Dos Santos was his signature win. Now he’s solidified himself, he’s found his footing. He has right team behind him. This fight might propel him to the championship. He has a game plan. But Andrei trains with him at Jackson Wink. What a better way to get back in title contention for Arlovski by beating Overeem. Andrei’s got great boxing. He’s a former champion and can put it all together. Both these guys are willing to stand and trade.”
UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on Overeem and Arlovski: “Overeem knows what to do out there. Overeem’s move to Jackson Winkeljohn has helped him a lot, but his opponent Arlovski also trains with them. Arlovski can’t be flat footed in this fight. He’s got to move well, move his head off center line, try to find angles and land punches. Arlovski might have the advantage with all the coaches in his corner.”
Florian on Overeem’s keys to victory: “He has to vary his attack, attack high and low. He also needs to stick and move.”
UFC TONIGHT guest host Miesha Tate on what else Overeem needs to do to beat Arlovski: “He needs the element of surprise. He’s been improving on his wrestling and he needs to use it.”
Cormier on Arlovski’s keys to victory: “Key one is he has to move laterally. He can’t be a stationary target for Overeem. He also needs to cut off the Octagon and contain Overeem.”
Tate on what else Arlovski needs to do vs. Overeem: “He needs to use his boxing. We can’t forget he has power in his hands. I think he has to be a counter striker in this fight. He has to have head movement and he can’t stand in front of Alistair.”
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Andrei Arlovski on his relationship with Overeem since they train in the same camp: “No relationship. We don’t have a relationship.”
Arlovski on sparring with Overeem: “We sparred two times. The first time a couple years ago when he came to Jackson Wink and second time before his fight with JDS because Greg Jackson asked me. When I sparred with him, I noticed he has great knees, very dangerous knees elbow and feet. This is going to help me with this upcoming match against him.”
Arlovski on which coaches will be in his corner: “Everyone is going to be in my corner.”
Arlovski on Overeem wanting to fight him: “First of all, I don’t care. He put Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn in a spot. My opinion, it’s not right.”
Arlovski on if he doesn’t want Overeem to train in the same camp: “No. Absolutely not.”
Arlovski on what’s different after losing to Stipe: “I was very disappointed when I lost to Stipe. But I’ve done my homework and I’ve moved forward. Sunday night will be different.”
VIDEO: Andrei Arlovski Interview
Alistair Overeem on if he called out the fight with Arlovski: “He keeps going on about this. I was not given a choice. Lorenzo texted me that they wanted me to headline this fight in Rotterdam. They wanted me to fight Arlovski. I said I was fine with it. He’s not my buddy. We don’t even train together. I don’t have a problem with it.”
Overeem on if he was too rough in training with Arlovski: “Sorry to open your eyes. This is a full-contact sport. It’s the objective to disable your opponent even if sparring or a real fight. You’ve got to use your technique. Yeah, I did disable him in training. He’s never been my friend. I’m ok with it.”
Overeem on training in the same camp with Arlovski: “He’s training with Greg and Wink. I’m training with Chad Smith, the main wrestling coach, and the main BJJ coach, and I flew in some other coaches who I’ve been working with throughout my career. These are people I get along with very well and have good working relationship with.”
Overeem on if the UFC says he’ll get title shot if he wins: “I expect to get a title shot after I beat Andrei Sunday. But let’s not get ahead of it. He’s going to want to knock my head off. It’s my job to stay sharp and focused. But if I win, I expect to get that title shot in November.”
VIDEO: Alistair Overeem Interview
Tate on Conor McGregor not ending up on UFC 200: “Conor does a lot of press. I’m a fan of his. He does lots for the UFC. They offered to fly him out on a private jet. I don’t see why he didn’t make it. He didn’t and he’s not on 200 now. I wish him well.”
Tate on if Amanda Nunes has offended her: “No, not at all. She’s a nice girl. She was offended that I said I’m going to beat her because I said it. But that’s the truth. She’s well rounded. It seems to me like she hits the wall. She’s a great striker. She has one-punch knockout power. She’s a phenomenal judo specialist. She’s a great grappler. I’m coming prepared for five rounds. I think I can break her. I’m going to grind her to the end.”
VIDEO: Miesha Tate Interview
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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.