UFC Live 6 Live Press Conference Highlights

This weekend will mark the third straight Saturday in a row with a live UFC event and, at least based on the card, should live up to the standard set by predecessors UFN 25 and UFC 135 with arguably one of the deepest lineups in the Versus Network’s history.

Headlined by UFC bantamweight title-holder Dominick Cruz defending his championship against small-but-powerful contender Demetrious Johnson, and also featuring a heavyweight throwdown between Pat Barry and Stefan Struve, UFC Live 6 has a little something for everyone.

Many of the evening’s competitors including Cruz, Johnson, Barry, Struve, as well as Anthony Johnson and Charlie Brenneman, were on hand at a pre-fight press conference this afternoon and Fighters.com was listening in while updating readers in real-time with interesting information or relevant soundbytes.

Read below to see how things unfolded from the stage in Virginia…

Dominick Cruz:

- Spent time during the open workouts cutting weight and, though it’s always hard to make bantamweight, he’s “feeling good” and is “right where he should be”
- Will use his reach advantage in every position to pick “Mighty Mouse” apart
- Feels at home in D.C. because of Team Lloyd Irvin being in the area (a group he fits in with really well)
- Has not been contacted by Steven Segal and tells a story about how he met him at an event, received a staredown after a comment about Segal’s height

Demetrious Johnson:

- Thinks Cruz is a great champion and has beaten “the best of the best” but he’s coming to fight Saturday night
- Brings a different set of tools than Cruz’s previous opponents / “I come out, I bring my pace, and I do my job.”
- Being an underdog is the story of his life, doesn’t bother him in the least bit
- If flyweight is added he’ll look at it then but right now he’s focused on Cruz
- Doesn’t feel like he’s in hostile territory because he’s also cool with Irvin’s gym

Pat Barry:

- Doesn’t care where he’s at in the rankings and is just happy to be in the UFC, a win over Struve would simply put him “one step above (Stefan)”
- Didn’t realize he could become the longest reigning bantamweight champion in Zuffa history with a win
- “I don’t own anything. It’s always up for grabs.”
- Is still highly motivated despite his winning streak / “Success feels good. I feel I’m a fighter and this is what I do, and I love it – I love my job. It’s easy to stay motivated if you see all these maniacs coming up in the division. They all want to beat me up. What other motivation do I need?”
- When asked if he has any plans to take it to the ground / “No way! Unfortunately, Stefan could lay on his back and submit me while I’m standing up.”
- Doesn’t go into any fight with animosity towards his opponent / “I don’t need hate or anger in the ring. Pay me enough and I’ll fight you today. There’s no heat with Stefan. He’s cool.”
- Plans to keep on bantering with Struve through Twitter even after the fight / “Stefan’s the man.”
- “The only thing higher than fighting in the UFC might be like fighting in space…with guns.”
- No plans to do stand-up comedy

Stefan Struve:

- Says he sparred with top level K-1 fighters in Holland so is ready to stand with the kickboxer / Jokes around with Barry about giving him the autograph of one of he’s trainers
- Going to block Barry’s headkicks with his shin

Anthony Johnson:

- Been impressed by Brenneman’s wrestling from what he’s seen on video
- In reference to his role in “Warrior” Johnson says that acting is hard, that he’d rather fight any day than read lines
- Says this has been his best training camp yet and the weight is coming off fine, jokes that he gets asked that question 100X a day

Charlie Brenneman:

- Isn’t sure how things will unfold but feels prepared for every aspect of it
- His win over Rick Story didn’t change his training but he holds himself to a higher standard now, spent some time training with Renzo Gracie and of course with his coach at AMA Fight Club / Didn’t do anything new, just more of it than before

Reed Harris:

- Dana White will be in attendance at the weigh-ins but isn’t here today
- The UFC is in the process of cultivating the Mexican market
- Doesn’t know if Rashad Evans vs. Jon Jones will be coaches on the next Ultimate Fighter

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC