FULL COVERAGE: UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold Post-Fight Press Conference

UFC 221 press conference is starting now.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Romero and Rockhold not attending the press conference. Should be a short night.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Dave Shaw calls it a good night in Australia. Thought the fights delivered.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Shaw says Romero missing weight won’t stop him from getting a title shot against Rockhold.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Shaw puts over Tyson Pedro’s post-fight interview. Thought it was important to pair Australian fighters with other stars like Romero/Rockhold.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

UFC has not finalized a return to Australia, but they like the November date that they’ve held for the past few years.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Shaw puts over Israel Adesanya as a great athlete with a lot of potential.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

“An Australia vs. New Zealand TUF seems to make sense.” – Shaw. Didn’t commit to the idea, though.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Media asking Shaw a lot of questions that he doesn’t have the answers to.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Don’t have an update on Robert Whittaker but hopes Whittaker can fight in the summer. Doesn’t have an update on Romero’s injury.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Shaw puts over the crowd and was surprised that the crowd arrived early and made noise throughout.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

“No significant reason why there were no female fights on the card.” – Shaw

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

That’s it for Dave Shaw and it might be it for the press conference.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Ah, nope. Curtis Blaydes steps to the podium. Says he was rocked by Hunt. “My vision went black for two seconds. Heard the corner screaming for the takedown."

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Says he knew the range better after the first and knew he had to keep taking him down.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Blaydes just wants to be part of the UFC video game. Says he felt disrespected because guys he beat are in the game.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Blaydes wants anyone in the top five, but won’t call anyone out. Says again that he wants to be on the Chicago card.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Blaydes misses an opportunity to call out Cain Velasquez.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Blaydes says Ngannou hits harder than Hunt. “I already knew I had a chin. I get hit. I don’t have the best head movement.”

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Blaydes believes the Ngannou rematch will happen, but won’t force it.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Asked how he’ll celebrate tonight, “I’m getting drunk.” – Blaydes

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Blaydes says the gameplan was to always wrestle. “I’m not a fool.”

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Blaydes says he slightly tweaked his knee, but hopes to be healthy enough to be on the Chicago card. “I really want to fight at home”

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

That’s it for Blaydes. He carries himself well. He’s going to be an angry man if he isn’t on the Chicago card.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Tyson Pedro up now. Says he was going for a reversal at first but “ended up taking his arm home with me."

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Pedro is disappointed he didn’t get a bonus.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Pedro says he’ll be on Rogan’s podcast or he’ll have Rogan on his podcast.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Pedro brings up the bonuses again. “Who choses them? I’m still burning about that.”

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Pedro says he pulled cartilage in his ribs, but wasn’t going to pull out. “I was ready for 3 rounds. But why go for 3 when you can go for 1?”

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

“I think he tried too hard to knock me out.” Says he doesn’t watch tape and likes to just get in there and react.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Pedro is not in any rush to move up the division. Says everything will happen in time.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

That’s it for Pedro. I’m with him on the lack of bonus. Thought he had it for sure with that submission.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Tulvasa is disappointed he didn’t get a bonus as well. “Should have gotten a bonus for the shoe”

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Tulvasa is answering every question by bringing up his lack of a bonus. This is fantastic.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

“He rips a guys arm off. I elbowed my guy back to France. And we got nothing. I’m gonna go home and cry.” – Tulvasa

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Asked how much of an impact he’s made in his two fights: “Fuck, at least 50K worth” – Tuivasa

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Tuivasa seems open to the idea of fighting Blaydes, but knows Blaydes wants a top 5 opponent.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

“The division needs me. It’s boring. Guys fighting for 3 rounds and it’s boring as shit.” – Tuivasa

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

“I’m not afraid to throw down and I’m not afraid to lose” – Tuivasa.

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

During a lull in questions Tuivasa says, “50K?”

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

Tuivasa ended his interview with, “We done? Someone give me 50K. Thank you”

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018

That does it for the UFC 221 post-fight press conference. 50K?

— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) February 11, 2018