Full Coverage – UFC 235: Jones vs. Smith Post-Fight Press Conference
Welcome to Fightful’s live coverage of the UFC 235: Jones vs. Smith post-fight press conference. We’ll likely hear from Dana White, Jon Jones, Kamaru Usman, Ben Askren and more.
Latest updates appear at the bottom. Refresh for the newest quotes. You can watch the press conference in the video above.
The UFC 235 post-fight press conference should be getting underway shortly. Keep it locked here for all the updates.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Pedro Munhoz up first. He says his coaches watched a lot of tape to come up with a gameplan against Cody but in the end it was “live by the sword, die by the sword.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Pedro says he wasn’t hurt in the final exchange. “As you can see, my face looks great.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“My coaches saw that he gets emotional” – Pedro. Said he enjoyed the fight because Cody comes to fight and doesn’t run.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Pedro believes they clashed heads (Cody complained about it in the fight). But has to rewatch to make sure. Says it just happened. That’s it for Pedro.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Woodley up now. Makes no excuses. Still believes he’s the greatest. “Sometimes, the greatest champion has to face adversity.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Woodley credits Usman for keeping his composure and sticking with the gameplan. Woodley keeps pushing for a rematch. “The performance may not warrant it, but my resume does.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Woodley says he tried not to looking at Covington before/during/after the fight. Says he has a lot of respect for Usman and made sure to tell him that after the fight.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Woodley says he will stay ready even if he doesn’t get a rematch. Doesn’t have a next opponent in mind. Compares this performance to his performance against Rory. “I was just flat. You can’t have a bad night in the Octagon. Tonight I had one.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Woodley doesn’t believe his outside ventures (music/movies) took energy away from his training camp, but will re-evaluate how he spends his time moving forward.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Woodley says he didn’t sustain any major injuries so he’ll be back to work shortly. Says that’s one positive from this fight.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Woodley has no plans of moving up to 185. Wants to get the 170 belt back first.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
That’s a wrap for Woodley. Very humble in defeat.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Robbie Lawler up now. Says he gave Herb the thumbs up. “Mistakes happen” Won’t make excuses and would like to run it back.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“Stuff happens in life. People make mistakes. I’m not one to whine about shit” – Robbie Lawler
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Lawler says he won’t appeal the loss but he has people who may do it for him.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Lawler was hoping Askren would burn out his arms because he was squeezing hard. Once again says he wants to run it back.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
That’s it for Lawler.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Anthony Smith has arrived. Says he is disappointed. “I let Jon Jones be Jon Jones. I didn’t do anything I was supposed to do.” Says now the “fuckin idiots” can stop talking about his cardio, which held up.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“For whatever reason, I didn’t pull the trigger. This never happens to me.” – Anthony Smith
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Smith says no other person at 205 is fucking with him. “I wanted to force Jon to fight me. He didn’t fight me. He nullified me” Says he didn’t get run through. “I didn’t see anything I wasn’t prepared for.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Smith says the two hardest shots he took was the illegal knee and the illegal kick that wasn’t called.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“That’s a beatable man” – Smith. Won’t take anything away Jones, but still feels he can beat him. “I didn’t do anything I was supposed to and I was still in there. Jones and I will see each other again. No one will stop me.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Smith is asked, “Is Jon Jones a dirty fighter?” He takes a long time to answer before saying, “I don’t know.” Thinks Jones is clean “right now” as far as PED goes but when it comes to the “kicks, knees, and other stuff,” Smith is unsure if he’s clean
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Smith credits Jones’ Fight IQ and being long. “He’s hard to get to.” Continues to express frustration over his own performance and not being able to execute.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
That’s it for Smith. Very down on himself and his performance. Not much credit went towards Jones.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
NSAC executive director Bob Bennett is here to discuss Herb Dean’s decision to stop the Lawler/Askren fight. “There was no doubt in our mind that he was out.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Bennett says he had no problem with the stoppage. Credits Lawler for handling it like a professional.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Bennett thought Herb was protecting Lawler by stopping the fight after he saw the arm dropped. Said replay wasn’t needed.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Bennett says NSAC will put a list together on when they will use replay moving forward. Says they’ll be using replay more often.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Bennett explains that Herb Dean thought Jones illegal knee was intentional. He could have DQ’d him if Smith couldn’t continue. Took 2 points due to intent.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Bennett is done after joking around Ben Askren, who is up now.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Askren says he watched the replay and it looked like Lawler went limp to him. Walks us through the slam/punches.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Askren doesn’t want to face Lawler again. “I like him.” Thought Colby Covington was getting traded and doesn’t understand reports of him getting a title shot. Says he has a ticket to London to watch Till vs. Masvidal.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Askren says if he turned in the performance that Usman had tonight, he would have gotten boo’d out of the building. “He didn’t really do anything.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“He wasn’t getting out” – Askren.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Askren says he was disappointed in the UFC for not letting him back into the arena to watch Woodley fight. “I got it cleared on Tuesday and then they stopped me.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Askren was hoping to corner Woodley and when that didn’t happen, he just wanted to sit cageside for the fight. Doesn’t know if being in the corner would have helped Woodley.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“I pass” – Askren on rematching Lawler. Wants the Till/Masvidal winner.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Askren says Dana has no interest in talking to him. “I don’t know what his problem was with me in 2013. I don’t know what his problem is now.” Says he would love to sitdown with Dana.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
That’s a wrap for Askren. Still have the two champs and Dana to come.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Usman up now. Says he’s always fought on one leg. Confirms he fractured his left foot and was in a boot all week. “Nothing was stopping me for achieving what I set to achieve.” Wants time to let the injury heal.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“I want to fuck that guy up so bad. I can’t be in a room with that guy. I’m going to enjoy brutalizing him.” – Usman on Covington.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Usman says he wants to give back to Africa now that he’s champion.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Usman says he hasn’t opened up his arsenal due to injuries. “I can kick.” Says he just goes in to dominate.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Usman said he knew Izzy Adesanya was going to be a killer when he watched him training prior to Belfort/Jones.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Usman discusses his relationship with Rashad Evans. Says he just wants to make him proud. And that’s it for Usman.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana White is here. Immediately starts by saying Askren/Lawler was a bad stoppage. “It happens. What are you gonna do?”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana says he wants to do Askren/Lawler again. “We’ll figure it out.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana says he told Colby, “You’re gonna get this title fight. Don’t fuck this up.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“It would have been a weasel move for Smith to take a DQ if he wasn’t really hurt. Much respect to him for not doing it.” – Dana
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana says DC will get the Lesnar fight. “I owe DC a lot.” Says he hasn’t talked to Brock. “He’s doing his WWE thing. When he’s ready to fight, he’ll call me.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“You don’t want see Thiago Santos fight Jon Jones?” – Dana White
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana says he can’t make anyone fight. “I couldn’t make Ferguson fight Holloway. I couldn’t make Colby fight tonight. If you don’t want to fight, I can’t make you.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana says he’s never turned down a fighter who wants to talk. “Askren has never asked me to talk for 30 minutes.” Says he just talked to Askren in the hallway.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana believes Johnny Walker is “special” but wishes he would stop celebrating so much after. Has heard that Walker is fine but is scheduled to get an MRI on Monday.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana won’t rush Walker into big fights, loves that he wants to fight every weekend. Credits Askren for being “tough as nails.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“I don’t dislike Askren. I said some shit five years ago that he can’t get over.” – Dana
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana doesn’t believe anything is wrong with Cody Garbrandt. Calls him exciting.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana hyping Thiago Santos. “He’s big. I like his fighting style. When you put Jon Jones in those fights, he shines. He rises to the level of his opponents.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Last month it was Matt Damon, this month Dana is name dropping Zac Effron.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana says UFC pulls big numbers in Africa.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“Woodley looked less than flat tonight” – Dana. Says he didn’t think Usman would dominate him in that way.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana says he’ll send people like Zabit, Edmen and Zhang some extra money for their performances.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana says they are opening Performance Institutes in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and China. “We’re going to blow you away with what we do in the next 7 years. It’s game changing.” says he’ll announce some things in the coming weeks.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Dana ends by saying he doesn’t know what’s next for Woodley.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
And now the champ is here. Says he feels good about his performance but would have liked to finish the fight.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Jones says the uncalled kick landed on the body. Says the knee was not intentional. “I felt his body rising and went for the killshot. But his hand was still down.” Credits Smith for not taking the DQ win.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Jones says he will talk to his coaches about who is next. Doesn’t offer a comment about Thiago Santos. “There are a lot of great fighters. I’m here to beat them all.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Jones says he went away from the kicks because he felt ready to open up more with his hands. Believes the first spinning back kick took something out of Smith. Says tonight felt “familiar. a little too familiar.” Had no nerves, which was weird to him.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
“I don’t see anyone seeing bringing in the numbers that me and Brock could bring in.” – Jones.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Jones felt he could have done more in the 5th round. Believes it was Smith’s job to get off the cage in the 5th. “Rounds 1 -4 was what the fans wanted to see. The 5th was for me and my camp to take home the belt.”
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Jones was nervous in the moments after the DQ. Said he had flashbacks to the Hamill fight. Says he owes Anthony a beer for continuing.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Jones is told had he thrown that knee in Cali, it would have been legal. Asked if the rules are confusing. Says it can be, but takes blame for the illegal knee.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Jones says he didn’t see Johnny Walker’s fight. Discusses the photo he took with Walker was just him introducing himself.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
Jones says he respects Rashad. Says the relationship will never be the same, but is glad they are in a good place now. Jones thanks everyone, including the haters.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) March 3, 2019
If you missed anything from UFC 235, check out Fightful’s full coverage.
