Welcome to Fightful's live coverage of the UFC 219 post-fight press conference. Were we heard from Carla Esparza, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Cris Cyborg. Keep refreshing for the latest updates. If you missed any of UFC 219, make sure to check out Fightful's live coverage of the event.
The post-fight press conference is starting. Carla Esparza up first.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Esparza says the game plan was to stand with her. Was motivated as the underdog.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Esparza believes she should be in the title discussion, but is willing to do whatever the UFC wants.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Esparza thought she won the last 2 rounds. Coaches told her they were booing Cynthia after the fight for complaining about the decision.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
“I was worried about her ground game, but I was confident going to the ground with her.” – Esparza
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Esparza says her only advice to Cynthia is to keep improving.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
That’s it for Esparza. Really feel like she should have pushed more for the title shot given that she has a win over Rose. But that’s not her style.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib is at the podium. “Nice to see you after fight.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib says he’s still fresh. “I can take one more fight.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Javier Mendez told him to focus on the fight because he was smiling and joking. “I told him, I am focused. I want to enjoy this.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib says he feels confident everywhere. “I kick him a couple of times. People thought he was going to kick me.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib asked Dana what he thought about his performance in the middle of the fight. “He said, ‘You’re gonna take this.’"
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
“Conor need to deserve this. Real belt is 25-0.” Does call Tony Ferguson the real champion. “Conor is good fighter, he’s not champ. A lot of people can beat him at 155.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
“Today was a good day” says Khabib, talking about the birth of his son, the fight, and his bonus. Says he wants to protect his family from the media, which is why he doesn’t talk much about his personal life.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib says the weight cut isn’t an issue. Says it more about how hard he trains and getting injured. “When I’m healthy, I always make weight.” Hopes to stay busy next year. Wants to fight April/May, Sept, and December in 2018.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib says he wants to be great inside and outside the cage “like Fedor and GSP.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib says if you want your dreams to come true, you have to take it. Talks about watching Mike Tyson fight in Vegas and now fighting in front of Tyson in Vegas.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib credits Barboza for the hard kicks. Gives him respect and calls him a tough fighter. “I tried to finish him.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
“He has a chance with his boxing. Maybe for a couple of minutes” – Khabib on a potential fight with Conor. Says he doesn’t think about Conor. “He has to come back and defend his belt.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib does not want corners throwing in the towel for fighters. “If I fight, I don’t want my corner to throw in the towel.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib would like to fight in Russia, but says, “they have to work hard in Russia. I promote UFC in Russia. They don’t promote.” Says UFC needs to work with him to promote in Russia.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
“My dream is to fight in the main event of the first UFC in Russia. But they have to work with me. I am here. I am open.” – Khabib
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Khabib thinks he’s interesting because he’s come from nothing and wrestles with bears. “I train so hard to make my fans happy.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
“When I’m injured, they talk too much. When I’m healthy, they say nothing. If UFC approve, I can fight (Conor and Tony) on the same night.” – Khabib
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
“I’m not fighting for Conor to watch my fights.” Says he watches all UFC fights to keep up with his opponents and won’t be cocky about it and dismiss people like Conor.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
That’s it for Khabib. Some good stuff from him, especially on the UFC/Russia deal.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cris Cyborg takes the stage. Says she’s happy with her performance and the fight.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cyborg says the weight cut was good and that she was ready for 10 rounds.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
“First time my nose bleed.” – Cyborg
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cyborg says she’ll fight anyone put in front of her, but doesn’t like to fight other Brazilians (Amanda Nunes was brought up). Wants to fight Megan Anderson.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cyborg wasn't worried about the scorecards. “I’d have to rewatch to know if they got it right.”
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cyborg doesn’t worry about who the female GOAT is.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
“I trained to make 140” – Cyborg on why the weight cut was easy for her
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cyborg continues to credit her training and credits Holly for giving her a tough fight and making her better.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cyborg and a journalist speaking Portuguese. I do not know Portuguese.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cyborg says if she fights Amanda Nunes, it’ll be at 145. “No more 140.” Did say she’s open to fighting Nunes.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cyborg would be willing to compete under Zuffa Boxing.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
Cyborg wishes everyone a happy new year and that’s a wrap for the post-fight press conference. Keep it locked on @FightfulOnline for more UFC 219 and MMA coverage.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) December 31, 2017
