>> Announcer: THE UFC.
THE WORLD LEADER IN MMA. EXPERIENCE IT ON FS-1.
>>> WELL, THE UFC HAS SHIPPED UP TO BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
FOR THE FIST TIME A CITY DRUNK WITH SPORTS TRADITION AND
SUCCESS. NOW SET TO HOST THE MOST ANTICIPATED
BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP IN UFC HISTORY.
T.J. DILLASHAW ON BACK-TO-BACK STATEMENT-MAKING TITLE DEFENSES.
TO MAKE IT THREE HE HAS TO HANDLE HIS TOUGHEST CHALLENGER
TO DATE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT MAN, THE FORMER CHAMPION,
DOMINICK CRUZ.
IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR SINCE
HIS LAST COMEBACK FROM INJURY. WE'LL SEE WHAT THE DOM INATOR HAS FOR TOMORROW NIGHT AS
HE TRIES TO GET THE TITLE HE NEVER LOST.
ANTHONY PETTIS ON A MISSION TO GET THE UFC BELT
AROUND HIS WAIST. THAT JOURNEY BEGINS TOMORROW
AGAINST FELLOW CONTENDER EDDIE ALVAREZ.
THE FS1 UFC WEIGH-IN SHOW STARTS NOW. >> IT'S TIME!
>> WITH THAT, WELCOME TO THE HUB OF THE UNIVERSE WHERE WE WILL
BE ALL WEEKEND LONG.
FOR THIS HISTORIC CHAMPIONSHIP.
JON ANIK HERE ALONG WITH BRIAN STAN AND YOUR UFC INSIDER AERIAL
HAWANI HERE. MEGAN IS HERE AS WELL.
THE FIRST MEN'S TITLE FIGHT TO HIT FS1.
WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE IT TOMORROW NIGHT.
T.J. DILLASHAW AGAINST THE RETURNING FORMER CHAMP DOMINICK
CRUZ. WE START IN THE RED CORNER WITH DILLASHAW.
>> HE'S AN EXCEPTIONAL COMPETITOR WITH A GOOD
COLLEGIATE WRESTLING. CAME IN A GRAPPLER.
IN ONLY A FEW YEARS IN THE UFC BECAME AN ELITE STRIKER.
STANCE SWITCHES, FOOTWORK.
BEAUTIFUL COMBINATIONS.
KNOCKOUTS. THIS IS A VICIOUS OFFENSIVE
MACHINE WHEN HE GETS INSIDE THE OCTAGON.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN A GUY CLIMB THAT FAST IN HIS STRIKING COMING
FROM A WRESTLING BACKGROUND. >> AS YOU KNOW, DOMINICK CRUZ'S
INJURY IS WELL DOCUMENTED UNTIL THIS POINT.
I THINK WE HAVE DONE HIM A DISSERVICE.
THIS MAN IS FIGHTING FOR THE UFC BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE IN A LITTLE
OVER 24 HOURS COMING OFF THREE ACL INJURIES AND A TORN GROIN.
THIS IS UNFATHOMABLE IN MY OPINION.
THIS IS A MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST ON THE BIGGEST STAGE POSSIBLE.
TO ME IT'S SUPER HUMAN, THE GREATEST COMEBACK STORY IN THE
HISTORY OF THE SPORT. I'M HONORED TO WATCH HIM.
>> THE MIND IS A POWERFUL THING. CRUZ, OVER 24 HOURS AWAY FROM
GETTING BACK IN THERE WITH A BELT ON THE LINE.
ON TAP TOMORROW, LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION CROWDED WITH
CONTENDERS. PETTIS VERSUS ALVAREZ.
>> TALK ABOUT STYLE. THESE GUYS HAVE EXCEPTIONAL
STYLES TO MATCH UP. ALVAREZ IS A BLISTERING BOXER,
WRESTLER.
HE LOVES TO MAKE A FIGHT UGLY
AND BLOODY. PETTIS HAS GORGEOUS TECHNIQUE
SHOW CASING HOW TOUGH HE IS. NOW HE'S HUNGRY TO GET HIMSELF
BACK. >> LIKE THE ME LENGTH DEZ FIGHT
WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME.
LEAL. >> BEFORE TOMORROW THE FIGHTERS
ARE READY TO GO. LET'S GO TO THE STAGE WITH MIKE
GOLDMAN. >> WHAT'S GOING ON, BOSTON?
[ CHEERS ] >> LET'S GET THINGS STARTED.
LUCIANA, CHRISTIE AND VANESSA. UFC FIGHT NIGHT.
CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS CARD. ONE OF THE BEST AS I MENTIONED
IN UFC HISTORY. ALL RIGHT.
LET'S GET IT STARTED. IN THE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
DIVISION. FRANCIMAR BARROSO AGAINST ELLE
VIS MUTAPCIC.
>> GLAD TO SEE THE KING MAKE HIS
UFC DEBUT. HE'S 15-3.
HE'S BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK. FORMER MIDDLE WEIGHT CHAMPION.
HIS NICKNAME IS THE KING FOR OBVIOUS REASONS — ELVIS
PRESLEY. HE WAS SIGNED TO THE UFC ON
JANUARY 8. ELVIS PRESLEY'S BIRTHDAY.
HOW STRANGE IS THAT? >> JOE SILVA DOES HAVE A SENSE
OF HUMOR. DON'T BE SURPRISED IF HE SET IT
UP.
>> THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING.
THE STARS ALIGNING FOR THE VETERAN. ** >> >> ELVIS MUTAPCIC AND HIS
OPPONENT, FRANCIMAR BROTHERS.
>> HE SAYS HE'S READY FOR TOP LEVEL COMPETITION.
WHY NOT? NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO MAKE A
RUN IN THE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION.
BARROSO HAS ONLY FOUGHT ONE TIME A YEAR IN 2013, 2014 AND 2015.
IT HAS TO BE IN A RHYTHM AND IT HAS TO START TOMORROW NIGHT.
FIST TIME HE GETS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE UNITED STATES.
HE'S EXCITED ABOUT THAT. ** >> >> BARROSO.
>> IT'S NOT FAMILIAR WHEN MUTAPCIC HAS WINS OVER SAM ALVI.
A CREDIBLE FIGHTER AND ONE WHO, LIKE I SAID, HAS BEEN FIGHTING
FOR A LONG TIME, HOPING AND DREAMING FOR THIS MOMENT.
>> FOR THE FIRST NIGHT TOMORROW NIGHT CONSECUTIVELY ON FIGHT
PASS.COM. UP NEXT IN THE BANTAMWEIGHT
DIVISION, ROB FONT AGAINST JOEY GOMEZ.
>> THIS MARINE EP HAS TAKEN A LONG ROAD TO THE UFC.
LONG TIME MEMBER OF TEAM QUEST.
THAT'S WHERE HE BUILT AND
STARTED HIS CAREER. HE FACED MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS IN
THE MARINE CORPS. DUTY STATION CHANGES FROM THE
WEST COAST TO THE EAST COAST. FINALLY ABLE TO LINK UP IN
MASSACHUSETTS. NOW GETS HIS FIRST SHOT IN THE
UFC. >> 135.
>> 135 FOR JOEY GOMEZ. AND HIS OPPONENT, OUT OF
REDDING, MASSACHUSETTS. ROB FONT.
>> TWO WEEKS AGO HE WAS A NEW OPPONENT FOR THIS BOUT.
HE DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO HIT CLOSE TO HOME.
JOEY GOMEZ SPENT TIME AT FONT'S HOME GYM IN 2012 AND 2013.
THEY HAVE PRACTICED TOGETHER BUT SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM THROWING
DOWN TOMORROW NIGHT.
>> 135. >> 135 FOR TOMORROW NIGHT.
>> 135.
>> 135 FOR ROB FONT.
>> AS YOU CAN HEAR, FONT IS A FAN FAVORITE IN BOSTON.
TWO SORT OF LOCAL GUYS FIGHTING. WE HAVEN'T SEEN FONT SINCE HIS
GREAT DEBUT. GOOD TO SEE HIM BACK.
>> A GREAT BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT FOR UFC FIGHT NIGHT, FONT VERSUS
GOMEZ. NEXT UP IN THE FEATHERWEIGHT
DIVISION, CHARLES "BOSTON STRONG" ROSA VERSUS KYLE
BOCHNIAK. FIGHTING OUT OF BOSTON, KYLE
BOCHNIAK. >> I TELL YOU WHAT.
KYLE BOCHNIAK GETS THE CALL ON DAYS' NOTICE.
HE'S A LOCAL KID UNDER PETER PEL SH WHO TRAINED SEVERAL KIDS
HERE.
THE HEAD COACH JOHN CLARK.
THIS IS AN AGGRESSIVE KID WITH GOOD POWER IN HIS HANDS.
SHOULD BE A FUN ADDITION TO THE UFC.
>> 145. >> 145 FOR KYLE UFC.
>> 145. >> 145 FOR KYLE BOCHNIAK.
>> OUT OF MASSACHUSETTS, REPRESENTING AMERICAN TOP TEAM,
CHARLES "BOSTON STRONG" ROSA. >> THEY SAY THE THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM.
CERTAINLY WHAT ROSA HOPES TO BE TRUE.
HE'S HAD TROUBLE SUFFERING INJURIES AND PULLING OUT OF THE
BOUT.
KYLE BOCHNIAK IS THE THIRD MAN
WHO AGREED TO TAKE ON ROSA. THESE TWO ARE LOOKING TO THROW
DOWN. ROSA IS LOOKING TO GET RIGHT
HERE IN BOSTON LAST JANUARY.
BOSTONIANS MAKING THE RUN IN THE LEAGUE.
>>> KYLE FOUGHT EIGHT DAYS AGO AND NOW IS MAKING HIS UFC DEBUT.
TAKES GUTS. NICE WIN FOR HIM.
SHORT NIGHT, BUT STILL. >>> 145 HIM.
SHORT NIGHT, BUT STILL. >>> 145 1/2.
>> 145 1/2 FOR BOSTON STRONG. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> NOT THAT SURPRISING WHEN YOU WATCH INTERVIEWS AND SOME OF
KYLE'S FIGHTS HONESTLY HE'S A HARD-NOSED, BLUE COLLAR KID.
>> YEAH.
>> CHARLES ROSA AND KYLE
BOCHNIAK. NEXT UP IN THE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
DIVISION, ILIR LATIFI AND SEAN "THE REAL OC" O'CONNELL.
>> UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT SEAN O'CONNELLS HAS BEEN WORKING ON
AFRICA ON MISSION TRIPS. HE'S AN AUTHOR AND SPORTS RADIO
HOST. ALL OF THE GAMES HE BELIEVES ARE
GOOD DISTRACTIONS TO KEEP HIS MIND RIGHT.
SEAN IS THE KING OF FACE-OFFS. LET'S SEE.
ONCE HE GETS OFF THE SCALE. >> SEAN O'CONNELL WOULD LIKE TO
PARLAY THE RADIO STUFF INTO A TELEVISION CAREER.
HE HAS TO BECOME A MORE RELEVANT OR GET HIGH PROFILE FIGHTS TO MAKE THAT A REALITY.
LE. >> 205.5.
>> 205.5 FOR THE REAL OC. HIS FIGHTS TO MAKE THAT A
REALITY. LE.
>> 205.5. >> 205.5 FOR THE REAL OC.
HIS OPPONENT. SWEDEN'S FINEST , ILIR "THE
SLEDGE HAMMER" LATIFI. >> TRUE STORY.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I TOOK A SMALL VACATION, NOTHING CRAZY.
I'M AT THE POOL DRINKING A PINA COLADA AND WHO'S AT THE POOL?
ILIR LATIFI, JUST HANGING OUT.
I DECIDED NOT TO TAKE OFF MY
SHIRT. I FELT VERY SELF-CONSCIOUS.
HE CAME TO FLORIDA TO TRAIN WITH A.T.T., A MEMBER OF ALL STARS
BUT WANTED TO GET ACCLIMATED.
LOOK AT THE SHAPE HE'S IN. VERY GOOD. >>> 205.
>> 205 FOR ILIR LATIFI. >> THIS IS A GUY WHO FACED
GUSTAFSSON ON DAYS' NOTICE. HE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THAT WHEN HE
MADE HIS UFC DEBUT. >> HE LOOKS FANTASTIC.
>> IN MY EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU SHED BULK AND LEAN OUT YOU GET
FASTER. HE LOOKS FANTASTIC.
>> WHAT A NICE GUY SEAN O'CONNELL.
>> LATIFI. >> WHAT ARE THEY PASSING ON
THERE? >> I FEEL THE LOVE. >> THE IRISH PAUL FELDER AND
DETROIT SUPERSTAR CRUICKSHANK.
>> STILL TRAINING AT HOME IN THE GREAT STATE OF MICHIGAN.
HE FOUNDED MICHIGAN TOP TEAM IN DEARBORN IN 2013.
AS USUAL HIS FATHER DEAN A LIFE LONG MARTIAL ARTIST. >> HIS MOM WAS A FIGHTER AS
WELL. HE HAS MEMO RIS OF WATCHING HIS
MOM FIGHT. >> 155.
>> 155 FOR DARON CRUICKSHANK. HIS OPPONENT OUT OF
PHILADELPHIA, PAUL "THE IRISH DRAGON" FELDER.
>> NICE OVATION FOR PAUL FELDER.
THAT HAS TO FEEL GOOD.
HE ENTERS THE FIGHT WITH A HEAVY HEART.
FOUND OUT LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO HIS FATHER HAS PANCREATIC
CANCER. HE STARTS CHEMO THIS WEEK.
HE SAID IF MY DAD CAN BEAT CANCER FIGHTING CRUICKSHANK IS
NO FIGHT COMPARED TO WHAT MY DAD HAS IN STORE FOR HIM.
HE SAYS HIS PARENTS ARE HIS BIGGEST FANS BUT THEY NEVER
WATCH HIM FIGHT. THEY WILL TURN IT ON, LEAVE IT
IN THE ROOM BUT WALK OUT AND COME BACK WHEN THE FIGHT IS
OVER. HE WILL BE THINKING ABOUT HIS FATHER TOMORROW, NO DOUBT.
>> 155.5. >> 155.5.
>> NICE OVATION ALSO FOR FELDER WHO TRAINS OUT OF PHILADELPHIA.
GOOD TRAINING PARTNER OF DONALD CERRONE WHO WILL BE HERE AND
CORNERING. HE SAYS HE'S THE WORST CORNER
MAN IN THE BUSINESS. JUST YELLS "PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE."
>> MAXIMO BLANCO FACES LUKE "COOL HAND" SANDERS.
>> THERE HE IS.
COOL HAND LUKE SPORTING THE
SHADES. PRETTY COOL HAIR AS WELL.
ANOTHER GUY TAKING A FIGHT ON SHORT NOTICE TOOK THIS FIGHT ON
LESS THAN TWO WEEKS NOTICE. THE CARD FILLED WITH GUYS
STEPPING UP ON SHORT NOTICE. YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THAT.
HE'S FIGHTING AT FEATHERWEIGHT.
BUT HE'S ACTUALLY THE FORMER RFA BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.
YOU CAN SEE UNDEFEATED. 10-0.
TRAINS IN GLENDALE ARIZONA WITH COACH CROUCH WHO IS NEXT TO HIM.
I KNOW YOU APPRECIATE THIS. A FORMER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
HOCKEY PLAYER AT CENTENNIAL HIGH IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
A MAN OF MANY TALENTS.
>> THEY DON'T COME MUCH TOUGHER THAN THE HOCKEY
PLAYERS. >> 145 1/2. >> 145 1/2, LUKE SANDERS.
HIS OPPONENT, MAXIMO BLANCO. >> NOW A JAPANESE CITIZEN.
MOVED IN HIGH SCHOOL. GOT RECRUITED TO WRESTLE THERE
AND GOT A BRONZE MEDAL IN THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES IN 2007.
HAS QUIETLY GONE ON A THREE FIGHT WIN STREAK.
HE COULD BE FIGHTING TOP GUYS IN THE FEATHER WEIGHT DIVISION.
>> DOESN'T SEEM THAT CONFIDENT UP THERE.
>> HE MISSED WEIGHT BY TWO AND A HALF POUNDS.
>> 146. >> HE MADE IT.
MAKES IT AT THE LIMIT. HE LOOKED NERVOUS THERE.
>> THAT'S MASSIVE FOR HIM. THREE-FIGHT WIN STREAK.
HE'S LOOKED GOOD THE LAST TWO IN PARTICULAR.
IF YOU WANT A CONTENDER TO THE FIGHT YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE WEIGHT.
CHRIS WADE FIGHTING MEHDI BAGHDAD.
>> A PROUD REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FIGHTERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
NOW FIGHTING OUT OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
THE FORMER MUAY THAI WORLD CHAMPION.
A MEMBER OF TEAM McGREGOR ON THE MOST RECENT SEASON OF THE
ULTIMATE FIGHTER.
HE HAS A DIPLOMA IN CULINARY ARTS.
WORKED AS A HEAD CHEF. COMES IN WITH EIGHT WINS BY
KNOCKOUT OR TKO.
>> 157. >> TKO.
>> 157. >> IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S OVER BY
ONE POUND. TOOK THE FIGHT ON SHORT NOTICE
AS WELL. IT'S INTERESTING —
>> CHRIS WADE.
>> THIS FIGHT ORIGINALLY WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE AND CHRIS WADE REPLACED NARIUSH.
LOOKS LIKE THEY WILL PUT BAGHDAD BACK ON THE SCALE HERE, TRY TO
GET THE TOWEL OUT AT LEAST. >> THAT'S FAIR.
>> GOOD CALL BY THE UFC EXECUTIVES.
MANY TIMES WE HAVE SEEN UNDERWEAR WEIGH A POUND.
>>> NOW HE'S JUST RE WEIGHING.
>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S TIME TO BREAK OUT THE DIGITAL SCALE.
DON'T YOU FEEL IT'S MORE ACCURATE, OR NO?
>> DEPENDS WHO YOU ASK. SOME SAY IT IS NOT AS RELIABLE.
I AGREE. >> WE'LL GIVE IT A SHOT WITH THE TOWEL.
157. >> THEY ARE STICKING TO THAT,
BUT WHERE IS THE TOWEL? THEY DIDN'T BRING ONE UP THERE.
OH, NO. >> THERE IT IS.
THERE WE GO.
>> IT'S BRANDED AS WELL. >> YOU MENTIONED HE WAS A PART
OF TEAM McGREGOR. HE CALLED ON TOM EGAN WHO LIVES
HERE IN CORNER HIM TOMORROW. THE McGREGOR INFLUENCE WILL BE IN HIS CORNER TOMORROW AS WELL.
>> ITIN HIS CORNER TOMORROW AS WELL.
>> IT MAKES THAT MUCH HARDER TO MAKE WEIGHT.
EASIER FOR ME BUT THE FOOD I COOK IS TERRIBLE.
>> THIS IS SHORT NOTICE.
>> IT'S IN THE MIDDLE. HOLD ON.
>> AMAZING. IT'S JUST A SCALE BUT WE HAVE A
CONFERENCE GOING ON. >> WELL DONE.
THE FIGHTER BACKSTAGE WAITING FOR A DRINK OF WATER ARE FURIOUS
RIGHT NOW. >> CHRIS WADE.
>> CHRIS IS READY TO GO. DROPS HIS SHORTS.
NEW YORK BORN. AS YOU MENTION ABOUT ONE OF THE
PRIEST FIGHTERS QUIETLY LOOKING TO GO 4-0.
>> THIS KID HAS SERIOUS TALENT. >> 155.5.
>> 155.5 FOR CHRIS WADE. >> TRAINS WITH THE LIKES OF
DENNIS BERMUDA AND RYAN LeCLAIR. HE HAS GREAT TASTE IN SPORTS TEAMS.
MY FAVORITE. THE KNICKS.
>> DID YOU SAY THE KNICKERBOCKERS?
>> YES. >> THE
>> THE BARBARIAN . >> I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T
MENTION THE MAN BUN.
>> LOOK AT THAT.
>> MAJOR CHANGES. HE'S LEFT BEHIND.
BACK UP THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. HE STARTED HIS CAREER FOR YEARS AND WAS MUCH BETTER.
>> 204.5. >> HE'S ONE OF MANY GUYS.
HE WAS GREAT ON THE SCALE AT 205. >> TIM BOETSCH WILL BE FIGHTING
AT 205 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2010.
WENT 6-5 AS A MIDDLE WEIGHT. BOETSCH SAYS THIS IS JUST A PIT
STOP. HE WANTED TO FIGHT.
THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF.
HE'S BACK AT 205 BUT WILL PROBABLY GO BACK DOWN.
NEW ENGLAND'S OWN MARCUS DAVIS IS UP THERE WITH HIM.
HE'S BEEN TRAINING WITH HIM AGAIN AS OF LATE.
>> 206. >>AGAIN AS OF LATE.
>> 206. >> 206 FOR THE BARBARIANS.
>> SINCE AUGUST OF 2014. HE HASN'T WON. FOR
FOR THE WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION, PATRICK COTE VERSUS BEN
SAUNDERS. >> GREAT STORY WITH BEN
SAUNDERS.
SAID HIMSELF IN 2010 HE WAS A
STRIKER IN THE GROUND GAME. BECAME MUCH MORE WELL ROUNDED IN
HIS RETURN. INTERESTING STORY I DIDN'T KNOW
ABOUT HIM THOUGH. WE ARE ALL FATHERS UP HERE.
TOLD HIS PARENTS HE WAS LEAVING TO GO TO COLLEGE WHEN HE WAS
LYING AND WENT TO START HIS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CAREER.
>> I SPOKE WITH EDDIE BRAVO. HE HAD EVERYTHING SAUNDERS ADDED
TO THE GAME. PATRICK COTE.
THE MOST UNDER RATED FIGHT OF THE NIGHT.
FLYING UNDER THE RADAR. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS
ONE. PATRICK COTE OF FRENCH CANADA.
WORKS IN QUEBEC. >> FRENCH TOWN.
>> 171. >> ONE THING HE LEFT OUT IS HE
COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE THE GREATEST CHIN IN UFC HISTORY.
HE PUNCHES LIKE — KICKBOXING.
HIS JIU-JITSU. >> WE START WITH THE FIRST FIGHT
ON THE MAIN CARD. ROSS PEARSON FIGHTING FRANCISCO
TRINALDO. >> TRINALDO IS AN INTERESTING
GUY. HE COMES FROM EXTREME POVERTY.
HIS NICKNAME IS ACTUALLY FROM A VERY POPULAR CARTOON IN BRAZIL
WHERE THE CHARACTER IS A DOWN ON HIS LUCK GUY WHO'S ALWAYS
KICKING SAND, COMPLAINING ABOUT THINGS.
I'LL TELL YOU, HE'S NOT COMPLAINING NOW.
HIS SKILLSET HAS GROWN.
NOW FINALLY HE COULD PUT
TOGETHER GOOD COMBINATIONS. HE HAS A STREAK GOING.
>> UNDER DOG AGAINST PEARSON. DIRECT TRANSLATION, BRAZILIAN
REDWOOD. >> WENT FROM BEING A TOUGH
GRINDER. NOW HAS GOOD STRIKING.
>> HOW ABOUT THE WIN A FEW MONTHS BACK?
THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE. >> 155.5. SEASON 9 ULTIMATE.
HE WAS OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT.
HE SAID HE REALLY WANTEDED TO PLAY ON THE CARD WITH DOMINICK
CRUZ. WHEN DOMINICK FIGHTS, EVERYONE IS IN
THE GYM HELPING HIM PREPARE. DOMINICK MAKES IT A CHAMPIONSHIP
ATMOSPHERE THERE. HE SAID DURING FIGHT WEEK THEY
STAY AWAY FROM EACH OTHER. THEY ARE SHORT TEMPERED DURING
WEIGHT CUTS SO KEEP EP THEIR DISTANCE UNTIL THEY ARE
REFUELLED AND RE HYDRATED. >> DOMINICK CRUZ SHORT TEMPER
ED? NO WAY.
>> I'M TELLING HIM YOU GUYS SAID THAT, BY THE WAY. >> 155.
>> 155 FOR ROSS PEARSON. >> LIGHTNING FAST LEFT HAND ON
ROSS PEARSON. LIGHTS OUT. >> IN THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION,
TRAVIS BROWNE. AND MATT MITRIONE.
>> I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RETURN OF MATT MITRIONE.
HE MADE A COSTLY MISTAKE BACK IN JUNE.
WENT FOR THE FIRST TAKEDOWN OF HIS UFC CAREER, GETS CAUGHT AND SUBMITTED.
THAT ATE HIM UP INSIDE.
S LAST FIGHT OF HIS CURRENT
CONTRACT. HE HAS A LOT TO PROVE.
EVERY TIME HE GETS A BIG OPPORTUNITY HE STUMBLES.
THIS IS A BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR MEATHEAD.
CAN HE PUT IT ALL TOGETHER? THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW.
NO WEIGHT OVER 265. >> 249 FOR MITRIONE.
>> 239 FROM 247. >> HIS OPPONENT TRAVIS BROWNE. >> AFTER WHAT HE CALLS A YEAR OF
GROWTH IN 2015 HE WANTS TO SHOW OFF THE EDUCATION HE SAID HE'S
RECEIVE ING IN THE GYM. TRAVIS AND HIS TEAM BELIEVE HE'S
MATURED AS AN ATHLETE. BROWNE SAID HE'S ANXIOUS TO
PROVE TO THE WORLD HE'S THE STATEMENT MAKER HE BELIEVES
HIMSELF TO BE. >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAME
ACROSS VIA TELEVISION, BUT A SMATTERING OF BOOS HERE FOR
BROWNE WHICH IS SURPRISING.
THEY CONTINUE. >> 248.
>> IT'S NO SECRET BROWNE HAD AS MUCH AS 2015. BACK TO EXPLAIN SOME OF IT.
>> MENTAL HURDLE. >> YEAH.
>> MATT MITRIONE. >>> A FEW WORDS.
>> WHOA. >> EDDIE ALVAREZ.
>>> >> EDDIE ALVAREZ.
>>> THEY LOVE EDDIE HERE. PHILLY'S OWN. A VETERAN.
HE'S USED TO THIS. HE'S USED TO FIGHTING.
HE'S STILL CLOSE. BACK HOME IN PHILLY. >>
>> TRAINED ACTIVELY.
>> ANTHONY PETTIS. >> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE SEEN PETTIS IN A LONG TIME.
HE SAID, I BABIED MYSELF AS A CHAMPION.
STARTED PLANNING OUT THE YEARS WAY AHEAD OF TIME.
NOW THE FIRE IS LIT UNDERNEATH HIM.
THAT'S DANGEROUS IN THE DIVISION.
>> 155.5. >> 155.5.
>> ALSO A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED AT THE BOOS HERE, RIGHT?
>> MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF THE ALVAREZ COACH. ALVAREZ —
[ INAUDIBLE ] >> THEY WILL FIGHT FOR THE
BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE TOMORROW.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL TITLE DEFENSE.
THERE IS A LONG LINE OF CHALLENGERS WAITING FOR YOU.
>> T.J. DILLASHAW VERSUS DOMINICK CRUZ IS THE MOST
IMPORTANT FIGHT IN THE HISTORY OF THE BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION.
IT'S THE RETURN OF THE FORMER CHAMPION IN DOMINICK CRUZ.
ARGUABLY THE BEST BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION EVER.
NEVER LOST HIS TITLE INSIDE THE OCTAGON BUT WAS FORCED TO
RELINQUISH HIS TITLE BECAUSE OF A SERIES OF CATASTROPHIC
INJURIES. DURING THAT TIME WE HAVE SEEN
GREATNESS EMERGE FROM T.J.LE DILLASHAW.
HIS DESTRUCTION OF RENIN BARAO. THE DEVASTATING BEAT-DOWN IN THE
REMATCH. >> DILLASHAW REMAINS THE
CHAMPION.
>> OUTSTANDING.
>> YOU'RE SEEING AN OVERWHELMINGLY CONFIDENT
DILLASHAW, A GUY WHO IS TRULY EMERGE ING AS NOT JUST CHAMPION
BUT A CANDIDATE FOR ONE OF THE BEST POUND-FOR-POUND FIGHTERS ON
THE PLANET. >> HE LEARNED BY WATCHING ME
FIGHT. THEY NEEDED TO PUT ANYBODY THEY
COULD IN THE SLOT. THE DIVISION HAS BEEN TRYING TO
BUILD WITH ME GONE. NOW THAT I'M COMING BACK IT CAN
GET ON ITS FEET AGAIN. THAT'S THE TRUTH.
>> EVERYTHING I EARNED COMPLETELY TAKEN AWAY FROM ME.
SO I'M A HUNGRY GUY NOW. >> I HAVE BEEN WATCHING DOMINICK FIGHT FOR A WHILE, PICKING HIM
APART, SEEING HIS MISTAKES FOR A LONG TIME.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE BELIEVES IN WHAT WE ARE SEEING.
HE RUNS AROUND AND CAN'T DO DAMAGE.
HE'S NEVER GONE FOR THE FINISH.
>> I'M THERE TO WIN.
IF THAT MEANS PICKING YOU APART ONE SHOT AT A
TIME, SO BE IT. IF IT MEANS PUNCHING YOUR HEAD
THROUGH THE FENCE, OUTSTANDING. >> I'M NOT LOOKING FOR THAT.
MY FOOTWORK IS THERE FOR A REASON, NOT JUST TO DANCE AROUND
AND LOOK FLASHY. I'M DOING IT TO KNOCK YOU OUT.
>>> THE RESUMÉ SMEEKS SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
THE GUYS HE'S BEAT I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.
THE GUYS I BEAT ARE AT THE TOP OF THEIR DIVISION.
HE NEED S TO FIGHT ME TO HAVE SOMEBODY ON HIS RESUMÉ.
HE'LL HAVE A LOSS. >> GOING TO MAKE HIM TIRED AND FINISH HIM.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THE FORMER UFC BANTAMWEIGHT
CHAMPION, DOMINICK CRUZ.
>> I HAVE SEEN ALL KINDS OF
STATS NOW. THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN TELL
YOU ABOUT THIS MAN. YEARS OF SITTING UP HERE WITH
HIM. HIS SINGULAR FOCUS, WILL AND
DETERMINATION. HIS ABILITY TO MAKE EVERY FIGHT
CATACLYSMIC TO PROVE TO THE WORLD HE'S THE BEST DRIVING HIM
FOR MINNESOTA THAN ANY FIGHTER I HAVE EVER BEEN RND A.
— AROUND. >> 135.
>> 135 FOR THE DOMINATOR. >> THIS AMOUNT OF ADVERSITY.
THE LAST FOUR YEARS, IT'S DOMINICK CRUZ.
>> T.J.LE DILLASHAW. >> TO ECHO MY POINT, THE FACT
THAT DOMINICK IS HERE, YOU HAVE TO BE HAPPY TO THE GUY HE MADE
IT TO THIS POINT.
THERE HE IS.
THE BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION T.J. DILLASHAW.
YOU CAN'T BE THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION UNTIL YOU BEAT CRUZ.
HE GETS THE OPPORTUNITY TOMORROW NIGHT.
IN MY OPINION, THE BEST HE COULD PUT ON IN 2016. >> 100% TAKEDOWN DEFENSE.
THAT'S THE HIGHEST — >> 135.
>> 135 FOR THE CHAMPION. >> I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS
STAREDOWN. NO LOVE LOST HERE.
THE VERBAL EXCHANGES. IN MOMENTS. >>>
>>> DOM, IT'S BEEN A HEATED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN YOU AND T.J.
I WILL ASK YOU SIMPLY WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TOMORROW NIGHT?
>> WE ARE GOING OUT TO FIGHT. I WANT TO SAY TO EVERYBODY THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING AWESOME. THANKS FOR BEING HERE THROUGH
THE BATTLE. HERE'S ANOTHER TEST.
I'M GOING TO WIN IT. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>>> THERE IS A CHAMPION T.J.
DILLASHAW.
[ BOOS ] >> YOU SAID THE GAME HAS PASSED
DOMINICK. YOU ARE NOW THE PROTOTYPE AT 135
AND YOU EXPECT TO PROVE IT. >> ABSOLUTELY.
I'M GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND GET A KNOCKOUT AGAIN.
>> GOING TO BE A GREAT SHOW. >> I'M PUMPED.
>> T.J. DILLASHAW ON FS1. >> IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE
CRUZ WAS STRIPPED OF HIS TITLE DUE TO INJURY.
HOW WILL HE GO ABOUT RE CLAIMING THE UFC BELT?
WE DISCUSS WHEN WE RETURN. >>> TOMORROW NIGHT THE
BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP IS LIVE ON FS1.
T.J. DILLASHAW, FORMER CHAMPION DOMINICK CRUZ.
THE FIRST MEN'S TITLE FIGHT ON FS1.
ONE OF THE BEST IF BANTAMWEIGHT HISTORY BEGINS TOMORROW AT 7:00
P.M. EASTERN ONLY ON FS1. WELCOME BACK TO THE FS1 FIGHT
NIGHT WEIGH-IN SHOW. SO DOMINICK CRUZ'S SIGNATURE
STYLE RE-ELIS LARGELY ON THIS FOOTWORK WE HAVE HEARD AND READ
A LOT ABOUT. WHAT PROBLEMS AT LEAST FROM THAT
PART OF CRUZ'S GAME COULD BE IN FRONT OF DILLASHAW TOMORROW
NIGHT? >> THE LAST FEW OPPONENTS FOR
DILLASHAW HAVE BEEN STATIONARY TARGETS.
T.J.
MOVES AS WELL BUT IT'S ALL TO SET UP OFFENSE.
DOMINICK IS THE HARDEST GUY TO HIT IN THE UFC.
HE'S A GHOST. HE'LL THROW ONE, TWO STRIKES AT
A TIME AND HE'S ALREADY EXITING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO FIND
HIM. HE LOOKED GREAT ON THE SCALE
TODAY. CONDITIONING WILL PLAY A FACTOR.
DOMINICK CUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WEIGHT.
PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST WEIGHT CUTS HE'S HAD IN HIS CAREER.
THAT MOVEMENTLE COULD FRUSTRATE DILLASHAW.
WHEN FIGHTERS ARE FRUSTRATED AGAINST CRUZ IT OPENS UP THE
REST OF HIS ARSENAL. >> UNFORTUNATELY FOR CRUZ MUCH
OF THE NARRATIVE HAS BEEN ABOUT HIS INJURIES.
HARD ENOUGH IN PRO SPORTS TO COME BACK FROM A MAJOR INJURY.
NEVER MIND TORN ACLs IN BOTH KNEES.
SEEMS HIS GAME.
>> IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
HE'S TURNED INTO THE MOST INTERESTING INTERVIEW IN THE
SPORT. IN MY OPINION THAT IS THANKS IN
LARGE PART TO THE WORK HE DOES HERE.
HE SAID WORKING FOR FOX ALLOWED HIM TO GET OUT OF HIS SHELL AND
STOP CARING WHAT PEOPLE THINK.
HE SAID YESTERDAY WHEN HE DID THE MEDIA SCRUMS HE WAS A DEER
IN HEADLIGHTS. THAT WAS THE FACE HE MADE.
HE WAS SO NERVOUS TO UPSET SOMEONE OR SAY THE WRONG THING.
NOW HE'S BEING HIMSELF. THAT ALLOWED US TO GET TO KNOW
DOMINICK CRUZ AND HE'S AN INTERESTING GUY.
>> HE'S GROWN FROM THE FIGHT ANALYSIS.
HE'S GROWN AS A FIGHTER BECAUSE HE'S GOOD AT IT BUT LEARNED NEW
THINGS. WHEN THE GUY WAS THE CHAMPION,
HE HAD THIS FEELING, THIS AURA LIKE HE STILL HAD SO MUCH TO
PROVE. THAT'S WHAT KEEPS A CHAMPION AT
THAT LEVEL FOR A LONG TIME. A LOT OF GUYS GET THE BELT, LOSE
THEIR HUNGER.
IT'S ALWAYS DOM AGAINST THE
WORLD. >> WHEN YOU GET THE SEPARATION
FROM THE GAME YOU LOOK AT IT THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS.
THE MAN THAT WILL TRY TO TAKE THE BELT IS HERE.
THE UFC BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION .
