Bisping Picks Alvarez: It’ll be similar to the Pettis fight

Los Angeles – UFC TONIGHT, live from New York City, featured host Kenny Florian and guest host Michael Bisping interviewing the headliners of UFC 205 including champions Eddie Alvarez, Tyron Woodley and Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Plus, Karyn Bryant caught up with Chris Weidman and Stephen Thompson.
UFC TONIGHT guest host Michael Bisping on what the UFC being held in New York City means: “To quote the new President, it’s huge! This is where the legendary fights happen. You haven’t made it until you hit New York and Madison Square Garden.”

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on the UFC in NYC: “MSG was built for combat sports. This city was built for combat sports, and finally, we have a UFC event here.”

UFC president Dana White on UFC 205 in New York: “New York is always a rowdy, fired up place with a ton of energy. I expect this to be an iconic event. It’ll be one of the greatest live fight ever in Madison Square Garden history. For us to put on an event, and to become part of the history and legacy, it’s pretty surreal. It’s awesome.”

Bisping on UFC 205’s headliner between Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor: “This is a perfect fight for the UFC’s first time at MSG. McGregor is trying to get belts in two divisions. That’s just insane. It’s all about where the fight takes place. If Alvarez takes him down, it could be tough for him. This is a classic grappler vs. striker fight. If he’s smart, Eddie will get the take down.”

Florian on Alvarez’s keys to victory: “When he gets going, watch out. Alvarez sometimes gets going at a slow pace, but when he comes out fast, he’s dangerous. He’s never been taken down. He needs to land the takedown against Conor. He needs to back him up, as well, and take away the striking. He did that against Pettis and took him out of his game. Finally, he needs to vary the attack and mix things up to keep Conor guessing.”

Bisping on McGregor’s keys to victory: “Conor is the total package. His straight left hand has been the money shot his whole career. Key one, he needs to look for counters. Alvarez is going to be coming forward in this fight. Eddie is going to go for takedown as well and Conor has to defend the takedowns. Finally, he’s got to be unpredictable. He’s got so many weapons. If he uses them all, he might just win the fight.”

Bisping picks Alvarez beating McGregor: “This is very unpopular for me to say this, but I see Alvarez winning. It’ll be similar to the Pettis fight. He’ll push him against the fence and tire him out, take away the striking, wear him down and look for the finish. I’m rooting for Conor, but don’t see it happening. If it stays on the feet, I think Conor can win, but I think Eddie will get the takedown.”

Florian picks McGregor over Alvarez: “I’m going for McGregor. I think he’s a little too slick on his feet and I think he catches him.”

Bisping on Tyron Woodley beating Stephen Thompson: “How can the champion be the underdog? The champ gets it done here. He’ll close the distance and gets past the kicks. If you take the kicks away, and it becomes wrestling match, Tyron is the better fighter. He closes the distance, gets the takedown and wins the fight.”

Florian picks Thompson over Woodley: “I think this will be a barn burner. These are two of the best in the UFC. Woodley’s style of wrestling is different from Hendricks. Tyron will shoot in and put you on the back in a heartbeat. He’ll be tough for the first 10 to 15 minutes. But a longer fight favors Wonderboy. I think this will be a five-round war and it just favors Thompson. But both guys can end the fight in an instant.”

Bisping picks Jedrzejczyk: “I’m going with JJ. She’s just too good. Karolina is just a downgraded version of Joanna. But she’s not on the same level.”

Florian picks Jedrzejczyk: “She has the speed, the combinations and she’s moved her camp to ATT. She’s going to be even better, and bad news for the strawweight division. She’ll stay the champion.”

Bisping on picks Romero over Weidman: “It’s two wrestlers fighting each other. Yoel is a better wrestler and Yoel is faster and more explosive, which gives him the edge in three rounds. In a five round fight, I could see him wearing down and Weidman getting it. If I’m going to guess, Yoel gets it done. This is the first time Chris comes back after a defeat. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles it.

Florian picks Weidman: “I think Weidman is a better wrestler. He’s bigger and he’s better on the ground. I don’t think he hits as hard, but his experience will be better.”

VIDEO: Strikezone and Predictions: UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzECqqu2lcI

Conor McGregor being in MSG: “There’s a very strong energy here. I look forward utilizing it in the fight.”

McGregor on what it means to fight at MSG: “It’s unbelievable. I’m honored and overwhelmed and grateful. I’m relishing the moment.”

McGregor on what he expects from Alvarez: “I’m expecting him to come out tough, trying to make it a dirty. I’m too clean. I’m too smooth and devastating. I can hit you from any angle. I’m confident. I hope he brings it. I’ll butcher him. I’m ready. If he leaves a limb or a neck, I’ll grab that, too.”

VIDEO: Conor McGregor on UFC 205: I will be immortalized after this fight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IabFvsyhBSM

Eddie Alvarez on what it means to be fighting at UFC 205: “It’s a blessing. We’re about to do something really special in three days.”

Alvarez on if he feels pressure being the last person to walk at UFC 205: “No pressure. We fight three times a week at our gym. This is just another day for me and another opponent. This guy is weaker than the guys I fight.”

Alvarez on McGregor’s hype: “I’m a fighter. I see what’s real and what’s not. What I see in the Octagon is a scrawny, skinny Irishman who’s about to get a beat down. We’re going to change a lot of minds on Saturday night. The plan is set, the preparation is done and the execution is upon us.”

Alvarez on McGregor’s talk: “It’s self-talk. His talk is him trying to convince himself. No one has done it to me, ever. You’re going to hear the words ‘And Still’ on Saturday night.”

VIDEO: Alvarez Interview: “Conor McGregor is a scrawny Irishman who’s about to get beat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVXkCjgDR-A

Tyron Woodley on fighting at MSG: “They didn’t tell me they were going to walk me in front of the Joe Frazier – Muhammad Ali billboard and for me to fight at the same arena as Muhammad Ali, Wonderboy better be ready to die because he’s going to get these hands.”

Woodley on his game plan against Thompson: “[To Bisping] I know you have the same manager. I can’t tell you too much. I’m going to be a complete mixed martial artists. I can wrestle, I can grapple, and I have knockout power. I’m good at not letting anyone make good at me.”

VIDEO: Interview: Tyron Woodley ready to face Wonderboy Thompson at UFC 205
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhDs7Q6WuDo

Thompson on how the fight ends: “I always visualized this fight with my hand raised.”

Weidman on fighting Yoel Romero: “Any time there’s a wrestling exchange, it favors me. He gets tired quickly. He can beat me at freestyle wrestling, but college wrestling is different and MMA wresting is even more different. This is the first three-round fight I’ve been in in a while, so I can go balls to the wall the whole time.”

Weidman to Bisping: “Thank you for keeping my belt warm. I’m truly blown away by your accomplishments and by what you’ve done. But at this point in time, I’ve got to take the belt back.”

VIDEO: Interview: Chris Weidman, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson talk UFC 205
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlC7Zv9ZWDc

Bisping to Weidman: “Chris, come and give me a cuddle. Yoel is probably going to beat you. I called out GSP because I want to make some cash. If you win that fight, I have no objection to fighting you next.”

Joanna Jedrzejczyk on what keeps her motivated: “So many people said there’s a big gap between me, Claudia and everyone else, but I don’t think so. This belt is staying with me. When I train, there’s no excuses.”

Jedrzejczyk on Kowalkiewicz: “Her cardio is good, her hands are fast, but without power. I’m just too good.

Jedrzejczyk on why she changed training camps: “Last year was crazy for the rest of the champions. Me and Demetrious were the only ones defending our belts. I had to change something and I went to ATT. I have good coaches. There are so many athletes that I can train with. I’m going to be different in this fight.”

VIDEO: Jędrzejczyk Interview: “You will see a different Joanna vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JQEZ-8AgSE

For notes, coverage, bios, photography and more, visit the FOX UFC page on FOX Sports Press Pass.
UFC TONIGHT
UFC TONIGHT is the official weekly news and information show of the Ultimate Fighting Championship on FS1. Veteran UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian, light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant bring you all the news and analysis.