FULL COVERAGE – UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington Post-Fight Press Conference
Welcome to Fightful's live coverage of the UFC 224 post-fight press conference. We'll hear from Amanda Nunes, who retained her UFC women's bantamweight title with a fifth round stoppage of Raquel Pennington. Lyoto Machida and Kelvin Gastelum should take the poduim as well.
Dern talking a lot of the weight cut. Said it dates back to her diet. Wasn't part of a plan. Thanks Amanda for taking the fight. "I tried my hardest."
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Dern says UFC wants her to move up and wants her to train at the Performance Center in Vegas. "They want to invest in me. Even without a fight, they want me to make weight in a couple of months. I will take their help."
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Dern says something unexpected happen in camp, which was her team kicking her out of the gym 4 weeks before the fight. Says most people would have asked for the fight to be postponed.
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That's it for Dern. David Shaw up now.
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He announces that UFC will return to Sao Paulo in September. Also announces UFC Contender Series: Brazil for the summer. Big Nog and Dana will be apart of the show.
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Shaw praises Nunes. Says she's easy to work with and is optimistic about the future with her.
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Shaw says UFC was unsure of Belfort's decision prior to the fight. Says Vitor will speak to Dana and see what's next. Mentions that Vitor could become a broadcaster or ambassador for UFC.
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Shaw unsure of what weight Dern will fight at next. Says UFC will work with her to make the decision.
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Shaw says Cyborg vs. Nunes sounds good as the next fight for both. Says it makes sense, but has to talk to Dana.
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Jacare up now. Says he was prepared to win. Says his legs were hurt/heavy during the fight and wasn't moving like he expected after the first round.
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Jacare says he didn't land any flush shots. Thought it was evident that he dominated the third round and believes he won.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Jacare was confident in the decision. Thought he may have won the first round 10-8. Reiterates that he believes he won the third.
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Jacare mad at himself for losing. "I should have done better. I should have cut weight better." Says Kelvin did a great job.
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Jacare says he jumped rope too much to cut weight because there was no sauna in the hotel. Believes thats why his legs were heavy. "We had a great fight and thats what matters."
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Kelvin says he won't accept any fight except a title shot next.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Kelvin was confident he did enough to win, but didn't know how the scores would go being in Brazil. Credits his chin.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Kelvin reiterates that he'll sit out until he gets a title shot. Feels he's earned it with his wins and activity.
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Kelvin was surprised Jacare ate as many punches as he did. Believes Jacare was well prepared and did well.
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Nunes says she hurt her foot kicking Pennington. Will go see a specialist to get it looked at.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Nunes says its sad that Pennington's corner sent her back out for the fifth. "It could have been avoided." Raquel is going to the hospital. Had Nina text Raquel to ask if she needed anything.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Nunes says Pennington needs to surround herself who want the best for her.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Nunes wanted UFC to promote the fight more on social media. Believed they were promoting the next fight more than hers.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Nunes dodges the question about fighting Cyborg next. Says she wants to spend time with her family following this fight.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Says the Cyborg fight is interesting, but says her division keeps moving forward.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Nunes is asked about Ketlen Vieira. Says Vieira deserves the next title shot. But again, will take time with her family and talk to UFC/coaches about whats next.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Nunes says she won't move down in weight, only up. "I'm tired of cutting weight, which is why I'm considering featherweight." Says she'll have a statement/surprise soon.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Nunes says she targeted Raquel's nose after breaking it.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Nunes once again says it's "sad" that Pennington's corner put her back out there. "They should have listened to her. It's important to have that bond with your corner."
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
Nunes finishes by saying she wanting to have a beer with Pennington, but maybe next time. Says she needs to take care of her foot and thanks everyone. That's a wrap.
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) May 13, 2018
If you missed any of the action, read the full results here.
