Florian on Why Rodriguez Wins: “He’s a little bit too big for Caceres and his diversity and speed are a problem for anybody.”

LAS VEGAS – UFC TONIGHT hosts Kenny Florian and Daniel Cormier preview FS1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT: RODRIGUEZ VS. CACERES and interview headliner Yair Rodriguez and co-main event fighter Dennis Bermudez before their weekend fights. They also catch up with new welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. Karyn Bryant adds reports.

 

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on Alex Caceres: “Caceres is fearless. He goes for it. He’s looked better since moving to 145. This is his weight class. His best weapons are his speed and his variety. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of approach he’ll go in with.”

 

UFC TONIGHT host Daniel Cormier on Caceres’ experience: “It’s crazy to think he’s a veteran. He’s got very good hands, he’s long and he’s got good kickboxing. He’s also good off his back. He’s been here before, against Sergio Pettis, and he derailed that hype train. This is a fight where he’s not afraid of Rodriguez.”

 

Cormier on Rodriguez’s development: “The Mexicans had problems with their wrestling, but he’s moved to the U.S. and trained here and gotten better, and now he can defend the takedowns. Now he’s free and can throw all those crazy strikes and kicks. From the moment he walked in on to TUF, everyone knew he was the guy.”

 

Florian on what makes fighting Rodriguez so tough: “He’s so unpredictable. He’s willing to try anything. He’s always trying to confuse you. He’s fearless.”

 

Cormier on Rodriquez’s keys to victory: “His striking is what sets him apart from everyone else. He’s got to vary his attack. But he’s got to wrestle as well. He also needs to use his reach. He’s longer, but might need to be more patient because Caceres has the same type of skills as he does.”

 

Florian on Caceres’ keys to victory: “Caceres has excellent striking and mixes things up. He’s got to move forward. He’s very good moving forward and mixing up his striking. He needs to let his offense flow. Plus, he’s got to look for submissions. He’s dangerous from the mat.”

 

Both Florian and Cormier pick Rodriquez to win. Florian on why: “I think he’s a little bit too big for Caceres and his diversity and speed are a problem for anybody.”

 

VIDEO: StrikeZone: Yair Rodriguez vs. Alex Caceres

http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video?vid=737733699651

 

Yair Rodriquez on what he anticipates against Caceres: “It’s going to be a scrap out there. He’s a lefty. He throws a lot of crazy kicks and stuff, just like me. The first guy who goes is going to be the guy who wins out there.”

 

Rodriquez on if he needs to prove something with this fight: “I need to prove every fight that I’m the best one out there.”

 

Rodriquez on what he learned training with Cain Velasquez on TUF: “You talked to me about being humble and working hard. But also, don’t look over your contender. Also, Cain told me, look for a good girl to be with.”

 

Rodriquez on if he feels like he’s representing Mexico: “I’m representing my country, my culture and all of Latin America. I want to be the guy to grow the Mexican market.”

 

Rodriquez on his crazy fighting style: “I don’t think about it. I practice every single day. It’s just there when I’m out there, something just goes out of me. This is who I am.”

 

VIDEO: Interview:  Rodriguez: “It’s not just my country. It’s my culture.”

http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video?vid=737740355862

 

Dennis Bermudez on fighting Rony Jason: “He likes to throw highlight reel strikes, knees, spins. I’m just not going to be there. You’re going to see a different Dennis. Some of my weaknesses have been being too aggressive. I’ve got 15 minutes to torture a guy.”

 

Bermudez on how he’s changed: “I’m getting older. I can’t get in those bloodbaths like I used to. I’m trying have longevity in the sport. I’m trying to get better. I’m not just changing my style, but evolving my style.”

 

Bermudez on being ranked higher than the headliner: “I don’t know how that happened. I guess because Alex has been a main event before and they’re trying to hype him up. At the end of the day, the lights go on and I’ve got to show up. I don’t care if I’m first or last, as long as people are watching.”

 

VIDEO: Interview: Bermudez: “I’ve got 15 minutes to torture a guy.”

http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video?vid=737736259956

 

Tyron Woodley on what he meant ‘from the badge to the belt’: “It’s hard work on all levels. I worked at FOX Sports. I’m not stopping until I get a badge from FOX to come work and be one of the top analysts. And I got it. But we had to go from the badge to the belt and fighting Robbie Lawler.”

 

Tyron Woodley on getting criticism for calling out Diaz and St-Pierre for his next fight: “I don’t have to worry about it. I’m going to get one of those fights. Don’t be surprised if it’s Georges St-Pierre.”

 

Woodley on not fighting Stephen Thompson: “He said he wanted the Robbie fight. He said that’s the better fight. And he thought Robbie was going to win. If I’m talking to Georges St-Pierre and he’s interested in fighting me, that’s the fight I want. I’m not going to fight Stephen.”

 

Woodley on who he’d rather fight: “I’d take Georges. He’s a tougher fight. He has the best wrestling in MMA. To say I’m the best welterweight, if I haven’t fought GSP, I couldn’t say it. Just the same way he wanted to fight Matt Hughes to prove himself. And it’s the most money. So I kill two birds with one stone.”

 

VIDEO: Interview: Woodley: “No one expected me to be in this position”

http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video?vid=737756227805

 

Eddie Alvarez on being at UFC 202: “I’m going to head out to Vegas for UFC 202 and try to start a fight with the winner of Conor and Diaz. These guys are a part of the circus and I want to be part of the circus.”

 

Amanda Nunez on wanting to fight Ronda Rousey next: “It’s the biggest fight. I want to make all the fans happy. I wish Ronda Rousey comes back. Ronda Rousey, let’s go. I’ll wait for you.”

 

VIDEO: The UFC TONIGHT Guinness World Record Lemon Juice Challenge

http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video?vid=737733699512

 

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 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.

 

Follow on Twitter at: @KennyFlorian @DC_MMA @KarynBryant @UFCTonight @FS1