Full Coverage: UFC 245 Post-Fight Press Conference
Welcome to Fightful’s live coverage of the UFC 245 post-fight press conference. We should hear from the top winners, UFC President Dana White, and more. You can listen to the press conference in the video above.
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.@jeremylambert88 here for the #UFC245 post-fight press conference. Marlon Moraes begins. Says it was a tough fight against Aldo, but now it’s his time. Says if you don’t agree with the decision, watch the fight again.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Moraes doesn’t know what Aldo will do next. He wants to fight Cruz or Sterling next.
Says Aldo fight played out how he expected. Knew he would keep coming forward. “He comes forward and does nothing.” Moraes didn’t want to rush as he made that mistake before.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Moraes admits Aldo won the 2nd, but he landed cleaner in the 3rd. Says Aldo never hurt him. Wasn’t worried about Aldo missing weight and says he looked healthy in the cage and he was fast, but not that fast. Calls Aldo a legend and it was a pleasure to fight him.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Moraes moved to ATT to be closer to his friends. Thought it was a good change and he is still improving.
And that’s all for Moraes.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Holloway is here with his son. Says he hasn’t watched tape. Felt like he did enough, but he’ll be back. Max wasn’t surprised by Alex. Respects how he carried himself before the fight. Max will sit with his team/Dana to see what’s next
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Max thought he was rounds 3-5 but only 3 opinions matter. “Never leave it in the hands of the judges.” Won’t commit to asking for a rematch, will talk to his team/Dana first.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Max thought he was fighting his way. “I thought wrong.” Max says his weight is good. Max jokingly calls out Cormier. “He’s eating everything I worked for.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Max is ready to go 5 more rounds. His son shakes his head. “Baby Yoda is about to get it.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Nunes is here. “Every time I fight 5 rounds, I get better the next fight.” Says the strategy was to takedown GDR. Calls her a dangerous striker. “I’m just learning striking. I’m a grappler.” Wanted the fight to go 5 rounds. Says triangle wasn’t tight.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Nunes isn’t sure when she’ll fight again. Gonna relax a bit. Nunes says she’ll fight Claressa Shields in MMA and wrestle her to death.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Nunes was proud of her composure in the 1st. Knew she could take GDR down easily. Says upkicks didn’t hurt. Hasn’t watched the fight back. Says GDR didn’t have the triangle locked properly and the sweat helped.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Nunes says GDR did everything she expected. Knew it would be tough because she’s a long fighter. Trained the level changes for takedowns against aggression.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Nunes again shoots down a boxing fight against Shields. If Shields wants the fight, it’ll be MMA. “I don’t like to fight boxing. I like MMA.” Nunes questions Shields learning takedown defense in 6 months. Needs more than multi-million to do a boxing fight.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Nunes says GDR had better takedown defense in the 1st fight.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Dana confirms a broken jaw for Covington and he’s been transported to the hospital. Faber also transported. Dana praises the main event and the performances of both guys.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Dana doesn’t believe a single grudge match fight as been good. “Maybe one. But they all pretty much sucked.” Not the case with Usman/Covington. Likes the idea of Masvidal vs. Usman.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Dana thinks a Max/Alex rematch “100%” makes sense. Could do it in Australia. Says he’s been talking to Shields about UFC and she liked what she saw. Dana had Usman/Colby 3-1 for Usman.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman impressed Dana the most. Goes on to praise Alex and Amanda for their victories. Also praises Aldana. Isn’t sure what is next for Nunes. Also says the Usman/Colby stoppage was the right call.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Dana had Aldo beat Moraes. Says Cejudo wants Aldo next b/c he thought Aldo won as well. Dana “doesn’t hate” Cejudo/Aldo. Dana isn’t sure why Faber wants to keep fighting.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Dana says 2019 was the best year they’ve ever had. Thinks 2020 could be bigger.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Dana says he and Floyd Mayweather did a deal at a Clippers game. Says they are better together. Doesn’t give any details on the deal.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Dana wraps up by saying he’s going to send Geoff Neal some extra money for his performance against Mike Perry.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Volkanovski is up next. Alex says his gameplan worked well, but his shins are sore. Calls the fight a chess match. Doesn’t want to give too much of what the full gameplan was because there might be a rematch. Did a lot of research on Max.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Alex’s coaches told him he won and he thought he won. Calls Max a great champion. Says he was motivated because none of the pros picked him. Thinks Max deserves a rematch and he’ll be ready for it.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Alex discusses his journey from being 240 pounds to dropping the weight and making featherweight. “I lost a lot fat.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
“There’s things that he does really well, but we’re aware of it. The Blessed Era ends tonight.” Says the rematch can happen in Australia.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Alex says headlining in Australia would mean a lot. Would like the hometown crowd and thinks the fans deserve it. And that’s a wrap on Alex.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman is here. Says the post-fight moment kept him sane. Says this win is “for the world. When you push hate, love and unity does win. Tonight it won.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman was waiting for Colby to wrestle. Thought Colby looked tired after 3 rounds while he was ready to go. “He knew he couldnt wrestle with me.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman thought it was a great stoppage. “The ref is there to protect you when you’re dumb enough to not protect yourself.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman seems to dismiss a fight against Masvidal. Names Leon Edwards as a possible next challenger. Says he’s waiting for whoever is next and doesn’t turn down fights.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman says it takes a lot to carry the negativity and act Colby created. Wonders where Colby is at now. Says he’s a tough fighter.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman says the fight looked closer than people thought. Felt he was rushing as he was waiting for Colby to wrestle. Says Colby surprised him with his punches. Didn’t throw the right that dropped Colby with full power. “It’s not even my best punch. Probably 3rd or 4th”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman says he loves going to the body. Knew Colby couldn’t take many. Caught himself head hunting too much.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman doesn’t think Colby’s eyepoke was on purpose. Just wanted to keep fighting. Says he didn’t poke Colby in the eye. Asked Colby “Who is breaking now?” after he complained about the non-eye poke.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman says the crowd was chanting “USA” for him. “I’m more American than him. I am what it means to be an American. I worked my ass off to get to the top. That’s what it means. Not being born here and being privileged. “
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman knew he was the better striker. Also calls himself the best wrestler and toughest fighter in the division. Says this fight was personal. If he wanted to take him down, he could have.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman says there was a lot of pressure. “No one wants to lose to that guy.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman says it’s unfortunate that Colby’s jaw will be wired shut. “He was humbled.” But wishes Colby the best. “No ill will.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
Usman says a ton of guys reached out to him to beat Colby. “A ton of his teammates. ‘Kill this guy.’ Everywhere I went.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
That’s it for Usman and the press conference.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) December 15, 2019
If you missed anything for UFC 245, check out Fightful’s full report on the show.
