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Moderator: Marshall Zelaznik
October 7, 2010
10:00 a.m. CT

Marshall Zelaznik: All right, thank – all right, thank you.

And it sounds like, everyone, first of all, apologies for getting a little late start here. We were trying to get everyone on that we needed on. We’re going to start the first part of this call with Michael Bisping and Yoshihiro Akiyama on the line. We’re waiting now for Mr. Akiyama’s translator, Ryo, who I think just dropped off. He just sent me a note.

But, in any event, I’ll make some opening remarks. It is late in the evening in Japan, so to the extent you have questions for Akiyama, please don’t be afraid to ask those first. As you all know, this is UFC 120, it’s October 16. It’ll be airing on Spike TV in the U.S. Here in the U.K. it will be on ESPN.

As it stands now, this show is the highest revenue generating show in European MMA history. The last event in Manchester that we had, UFC 105, was the biggest before this. So I think it’s a testament to, you know, how big the UFC is getting here in Europe and the U.K., and a testament to the fighters themselves.

So, without further ado, I’d like to turn it over to the questions.

So, operator, we’re prepared and ready for the first one.

Operator: Again, if you would like to ask questions at this time, please press star one on your telephone keypad.

Your first question comes from the line of Penny Buffington.

Penny Buffington: Hi. Thank you. I have one question for each of you. I’ll start off with Michael Bisping.

Michael, you are so well recognized and adored in your home country. Do you ever find the fame a distraction?

Michael Bisping: No, no. So fortunately – well I wouldn’t say I’m so well recognized. Both I am, and so are these guys, (inaudible) recognized, as are most of the guys in UFC.

I live in a small town in the northwest of England, and I live with the same, you know, the same friends and family that I’ve grown up with my entire life. So, to be honest, nothing’s changed. You know, when I do venture out into cities and whatnot, yes, people do know who I am, I suppose.

But, ultimately, I’m the same guy. I still live in the same place, the same small town, so not a lot’s changed. And because I still live there I’m able to train and just continue with my regular lifestyle.

Penny Buffington: Appreciate the answer, Michael.

Next I’ll go to Yoshihiro, what do you believe your strengths are over Bisping?

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Penny Buffington: Hi.

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: So to answer that question, he feels like he has a better takedown than Michael Bisping does.

Penny Buffington: I appreciate the answer, as well.

Next I’ll move on to Dan Hardy.

Dan, I recently …

Marshall Zelaznik: Actually, if I can interrupt. I don’t think Dan or …

Penny Buffington: Dan’s not in?

Marshall Zelaznik: … Carlos have joined yet.

Penny Buffington: Oh, OK.

Marshall Zelaznik: They’re actually coming in about 20 minutes later, so we’ll focus on these two. But, obviously, stay on the line and get back in the queue. And I’d appreciate that. Unless they’ve joined somehow.

Penny Buffington: And what about Marshall? Do we have Marshall?

Marshall Zelaznik: Yes, this is me, unfortunately. Yes, I’m here.

Penny Buffington: Well, Marshall, I do have one question for you. I’m very interested in knowing how did you become president of the UFC U.K. division?

Marshall Zelaznik: I’m going to keep this short. I actually used to work in pay-per-view television in the U.S. and became acquainted with Dana and Lorenzo through negotiations for the licensing of the rights in the U.S. And found out through a couple of sources that they were looking to expand in the U.K., and then, ultimately, was offered the job through that relationship.

Penny Buffington: As the rest of us, simply by being a huge fan, correct?

Marshall Zelaznik: Yes, exactly.

Penny Buffington: OK. I appreciate it, everybody. Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Neil Davidson.

Neil Davidson: Yes, thank you. My question is for Mr. Akiyama. I wonder if you could talk a little bit about his strategy in the Leben fight. Did he run out of steam as the fight went on? Did he think he could stand with Leben? Looking back, what does he think of his game plan against that fighter?

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: He felt as though whether it was striking or grappling, Akiyama had the advantage over Chris Leben, and it was his strategy. However, there were certain things that was holding him back from fighting his best in that fight.

Neil Davidson: Could you ask him to elaborate on what those things holding him back were?

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: He felt like he didn’t have enough time to prepare for his opponent. And so during the fight he wasn’t able to come up with a strategy that is specifically for Chris Leben.

Neil Davidson: Thank you.

Operator: Your next questions come from the line of (Elliot Olsen).

(Elliot Olsen): Good morning, here, and afternoon, everyone else, or late evening, as the case may be.

First question is for Yoshihiro Akiyama, and with your training at Greg Jackson’s camp for this fight, and the fact that he has already coached a fighter to a win against Michael before, how much has that played into your work with Greg, specifically the Rashad Evans fight that Michael had with him?

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: He was able to learn the intricate skills of the takedowns, as well as better striking for MMA. And, most of all, he was able to learn how to deliver a good three rounds of fight in the cage.

(Elliot Olsen): And for Michael, knowing that your opponent is training at Jackson camp, and the fact that – how does that affect how you look at tape of Yoshihiro, and do you feel like you’re any less prepared, in terms of knowing what to expect from him, based on his tape, than you would be if he was continuing with his regular training?

Michael Bisping: In terms of preparation, it doesn’t change anything. With respect, I couldn’t care less who he trains with. He can train with anyone. What I’m focusing on these days is what I do, focusing on my training. And he can worry about what I’m bringing to the table. And so, you know, as I said, my training’s going fantastic. I feel in great shape. I’ve improved all my areas. And I don’t – regardless of who he’s training with, I think I’ll be too much for him. So, to answer your question, I couldn’t care less.

(Elliot Olsen): So you’re – in terms of focusing on what either you don’t take anything either from, you know, the fact that you have a win over Chris Leben, who, you know, who beat him a couple months ago?

Michael Bisping: Yes. Well, you know, I mean, I think it’d be pretty foolish to look at that and to automatically assume that I could beat him, just because Chris Leben beat him, you know. You know, in, you know, MMA, anything can happen on the mat. But, that said, I’ve looked at Akiyama, I’ve looked at his style, I look at the way he fights, and I’m positive I can beat him.

You know, I’m improving all the time. You know, I’m a much better fighter than what I was one year ago. And I’m feeling like I’m maturing now, and I’m really coming into my peak as a mixed martial artist. And, as I said, you know, I’m not overlooking Akiyama. I think he’s a very, very tough opponent, and I’m sure he’s going to be tough on the mat, and I’m sure it’s going to be a great fight.

I’m expecting him to come in hard and fast, looking for the knockout. Obviously, he’s got good judo. And I don’t feel a couple of weeks at Greg Jackson’s is ultimately going to make much difference to how he performs. You know, two – he can go train anywhere for two weeks, but all the years of training that he’s done prior to that are what’s important.

So, yes, you know, I am prepared. I’m prepared for a hard fight. But it’s a fight I know I’m going to win, but he’s going to be tough.

(Elliot Olsen): And one last one, quickly, jumping off onto a different subject just for a moment. To somebody who’s been through the “Ultimate Fighter” as a competitor and then as a coach, thoughts on seeing one of your teammates from Wolfslair, Aaron Wilkinson, on this season and watching him thus far?

Michael Bisping: Yes. I’m over the moon to see Aaron on that. Aaron’s a great guy, and he’s been a great teammate at the Wolfslair a long time now. So I’m happy to see him, you know, getting some success. And Aaron’s a young guy with a lot of potential and definitely the potential to have a great career.

And so, yes, really happy to see him on the Ultimate Fighter, and I wish him all the success. And, you know, I’m sure he’s going to have a great career.

(Elliot Olsen): All right. Those are my questions. Thank you so much.

Michael Bisping: Thank you.

Operator: Your next questions come from Beau Dure.

Beau Dure: Yes, thanks. I have two questions for Mr. Akiyama. First is that Michael has sometimes had some trash-talking exchanges with opponents before a fight. Is this something you’re seeking to avoid?

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: He really has no interest in exchanging verbal assaults. And he has nothing bad to say about his opponent, Michael Bisping.

Beau Dure: OK. And secondly, will you make your usual entrance with the Andrea Bocelli recording of “Time to Say Goodbye?”

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: Yes. He plans on entering the octagon with the usual music done by Andrea Bocelli.

Beau Dure: All right. Thank you very much.

Operator: Your next questions come from Matt Manzella.

Matt Manzella: Hi, guys. My first question’s for Michael.

Michael, being that you’re undefeated in your home country, how much of a mental edge do you feel that gives you, and how much does that factor into the fight, come next Saturday?

Michael Bisping: Yes. I mean, a lot of people have mentioned that. I’m not sure if it is a factor. You know, I mean, obviously, when I fight in England, the crowd is fantastic, and they get behind me, and that feels very special. I suppose maybe it does come into it a little bit, you know. I mean, I always feel an extra incentive to perform and give the fans what they came to see.

My last fight in Manchester against Denis Kang, I said I was going to be really aggressive, and, you know, go out with a knockout and all this. Somehow the first round I got knocked down and spent most of the round on my back. And when I went to my corner in between the rounds, you can see on the tape, I’m apologizing to the crowd, because that’s not what I said I was going to do. And then I went out there the second round and took him out.

And I’m sure, you know, I do feel a bit of pressure. I want them to go home happy. It’s like if you go and watch your favorite football team and they lose, you go home feeling deflated. I don’t want them to come see me, and pay out their hard-earned money to see a fight that I lose, and then they go home having a bad night. Also, I don’t want to lose either.

So, yes, it definitely helps. Ultimately, you know, I’ve still got to get in there and knock them out on my own. (Inaudible) support’s always nice, but, you know, it’s not always the (best). You know, my last fight in Las Vegas, the crowd weren’t exactly supportive, but, you know, I still got the win, I still got the job done.

So, you know, it’s always nice, and it always adds a bit of pressure. But, ultimately, you know, the job is still going to be as hard or as easy, whichever the case is.

Matt Manzella: Thank you.

Michael Bisping: Thank you.

Operator: Next is Thomas Gerbasi.

Thomas Gerbasi: Hey, guys.

Ryo, question for Akiyama.

Ryo Ishibashi: OK.

Thomas Gerbasi: You know, he’s been in the UFC now for two fights, almost six rounds. You know, has he had to make any adjustments to his style to fight in the octagon? And, if so, does he feel like he’s finally, you know, acclimated to fighting in the cage?

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: Tom, he feels like over the past two fights he has been able to acclimate to the fighting style of that in the cage. And to him the win and the loss both are very important keys in what affects his fighting style. So the past two fights have been very good for him.

Thomas Gerbasi: Right, right. And one follow-up to an answer he gave earlier, how did he get thrown off by the change of opponent from Wanderlei to Leben, you know, in the days leading up to his last fight? And how did that affect his performance that night?

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: So, Tom, speaking in percentage, he feels like it affected 80 percent out of 100 percent, in the way he fought. And he feels like he fought with the last 20 percent that he had in him.

Thomas Gerbasi: Right, right. Thanks, Ryo. Appreciate it.

Ryo Ishibashi: No problem.

Operator: Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star and the number one.

Your next question comes from Damon Martin.

Damon Martin: Hi. My first question is for Michael.

Michael, you obviously, throughout your career, have worked really, really hard to get towards a middleweight title shot and had a couple bumps in the road. At this point in your career, is that still really the biggest focus for you, or are you just kind of focused on fighting and letting the title shot talk, you know, just kind of come where it happens?

Michael Bisping: No. I’ve been talking a little bit about this recently. You know, obviously, in the past I’ve talked about, you know, wanted to be the champion and I’m going to be the world champion, and all this type of stuff. And if I’m honest, in the past, maybe I didn’t truly believe it. You know, I was just saying it because it was the thing you were supposed to say.

And but now everything’s coming together, you know, I mean, I’ve been working with some new coaches. Mario Sukata, he’s always been my MMA coach. But I’ve been working with some new striking coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, new boxing coaches, new wrestling coach, and everything’s just come together.

And I said earlier I feel now I’m really maturing as a fighter. And I’ve got the experience under my belt, and my skills are all coming together. I’m understanding the game a lot more. I’ve got the confidence back where I need to be. And I truly believe now I can make a (inaudible) tackle.

I mean, I had a fight lost to Dan Henderson last year, you know, I made some mistakes. And, in hindsight, that was the best thing to ever happen to me. It made me go away and work hard on (finding) mistakes I was making. But other than the Dan Henderson fight, other than the bs decision to Wanderlei Silva, I don’t think I’ve lost any of the fights at middleweight. I got beat by Dan Anderson, and that’s it. You know, I feel I won the fight against Wanderlei, and other than Dan Anderson, I’ve never been beat at middleweight.

You know, so I feel I’ve got it in me to run for the title. I’m well rounded, and I’m one of the better athletes in there. So, you know, I do believe, you know, I mean, obviously, I’ve got to put up or shut up. I’ve got to walk the walk. It’s all well and good me sitting here talking about it, you know. People don’t want to hear that; they want to see results. And that’s what I plan on – planning on do – to deliver on October 16th.

Damon Martin: And I – and I know from, obviously, your focus is on Akiyama, but I got to ask the question, you know, you get – you get past this fight, is Wanderlei, I mean, it sounds like that, obviously, is the fight you want. Do you feel like that would be your next fight? Is that what you really want, a rematch with him?

Michael Bisping: Well right now, I mean, obviously, as you said, obviously, I’m fighting – I’m focusing on Akiyama. I’d be a fool not to, you know. It’s going to be a tough fight. He’s a very, very good opponent, and I’ve got the utmost respect for him. After the fight with Akiyama, fingers crossed, God willing, I beat him, I just want to fight whoever brings me closer to the title.

As I said, I feel I’m in my prime now. And, you know, and I’d love to avenge the loss to Wanderlei. I feel I beat him on that night, and I’d love to fight him again. But if it’s – if it’s not going to be him, then, you know, whoever it’s going to be, whether it’s Nate Marquardt, (inaudible), I don’t care who it is. Whoever the top dog’s out there that want the belt, I want to beat them and then fight for the title.

Damon Martin: And I know, you know, coming off the Wanderlei fight, you and him both had talked about, you know, either the rematch or fighting Akiyama. Was there any disappointment of not being the guy to hand Akiyama his first loss? Obviously, the Leben fight happened. Was there any disappointment just a little bit that you weren’t that guy?

Michael Bisping: To be honest, it’s not something I’ve really thought about. You know, I was just more disappointed about not getting the Wanderlei rematch. You know, I mean, Wanderlei asked for the rematch. I think if he wants a rematch, that’s because he knows deep down inside his soul that I beat him (inaudible). I didn’t have a mark on me that night, and his face was quite totally messed up.

You know, I mean, Chris Leben beating Akiyama, you know, (fast way) to him, it wasn’t really something I was thinking about at the time, to answer your question.

Damon Martin: OK. Thank you very much, guys.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Neil Davidson.

Neil Davidson: Yes. So my question’s for Akiyama, again. Forgive me if he answered part of this previously, but why did he choose the Bocelli music? It’s not really the average heavy, loud music that fighters use, and how long has he been using it?

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: He has been using that entrance music since his debut. And he feels like through this number he’s able to bring the entire crowd together as one.

Michael Bisping: I think it’s a great song.

Neil Davidson: Thank you.

Marshall Zelaznik: All right. We’ll take one more question for Akiyama, hopefully, in this next question. It’s very late in Japan, and I want to thank him for joining us. So next person asking a question, if you have an Akiyama question, please get that one out first, and then we’ll say goodbye to Yoshihiro.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Scott Fyfe.

Scott Fyfe: My question’s for Michael, so I’ll pass. Thanks.

Operator: Sir, your line is open. Mr. Scott Fyfe, your line is open.

Scott Fyfe: Can you hear me?

Marshall Zelaznik: Sounds like he’s gone, operator. We can move to the next one.

Operator: OK. There are no further questions at this time.

Marshall Zelaznik: All right, great. Operator, have Dan Hardy and Carlos Condit joined?

Carlos Condit: Hello.

Marshall Zelaznik: It sounds like somebody’s there. Is that Carlos?

Carlos Condit: Yes. This is Carlos.

Marshall Zelaznik: Hey this is Marshall over in the U.K. office. I think we’re maybe waiting for Dan, and then we can start.

But, at this point, Michael, you can probably drop off. Sounds like all the questions have been asked.

Michael Bisping: All right. Cool. Thanks, Marshall …

Marshall Zelaznik: All right. Thanks …

Michael Bisping: … appreciate it.

Marshall Zelaznik: … thanks, Mike.

Ryo Ishibashi: Can Akiyama goes as well, Marshall?

Marshall Zelaznik: Yes. Thank you. Thank him for us.

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Ryo Ishibashi: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Yoshihiro Akiyama: (Speaking Foreign Language).

Marshall Zelaznik: All right, operator. So we have Carlos Condit. We’re just waiting for Dan Hardy and then we’ll then open up to questions again once Hardy joins.

Operator: OK. We do have a follow-up question from Penny Buffington. Would you like to take that question now?

Marshall Zelaznik: I suppose we can, although we’ve just lost Akiyama and we’ve lost Bisping.

Michael Bisping: I’m still here, Marshall.

Marshall Zelaznik: Michael’s still here. Yes, why don’t go ahead and put that question through, operator.

Operator: OK.

Michael Bisping: I’m just being a nosy bastard.

Operator: OK. Mr. Buffington – Miss Buffington, your line is open.

Penny Buffington: Thank you. Thank you. I had a question for Carlos and for Dan. But I can go since Carlos is here.

Male: Excuse me, I actually have Dan …

Dan Hardy: Hello.

Male: … on the line now.

Penny Buffington: OK, great.

Male: Dan’s on the line.

Penny Buffington: OK, good. Good. All right, I’ll start with Carlos. Can you realistically explain the challenges of fighting in the U.K. compared to fighting in the United States?

Carlos Condit: Well I’ve never flown east. I’ve never, you know, I’ve fought in Japan quite a few times, and that never really affected me, as far as sleep patterns or anything. Never flown that way to fight, so it’ll be a new experience. So, you know, I’m expecting, you know, sort of to not have it have too much of an effect on me, but, you know, we’ll see.

Penny Buffington: I appreciate the answer.

And, Dan, recently I read a quote by you concerning your loss to GSP where you said you – this was your quote, you said, “I know where I fell short, and I know what I’ve got to do to fix it.” Now can you tell me where did you fall short and what did you fix?

Dan Hardy: I think, to be honest, you know, I think anybody watching the fight, it’s pretty obvious. I mean, my wrestling wasn’t up to scratch, and my offensive jujitsu wasn’t there. You know, I couldn’t threaten him on the ground at all and I could hardly get back to my feet.

So, you know, they are the things I’ve been working mainly on. Just working solid on my jujitsu and traveling around working with different wrestling coaches and just getting some good input on that. And, you know, came back to the U.K. (with the team) real fast and (inaudible) the practice, and it’s all paying off.

Penny Buffington: OK. Thank you for your answer.

Operator: Are you ready for your next question?

Marshall Zelaznik: Yes, we’re ready now, operator. Thank you.

Operator: Yes. Your next question comes from Scott Fyfe.

Scott Fyfe: Can you hear me this time?

Marshall Zelaznik: Yes.

Scott Fyfe: OK. You couldn’t hear me before, so that’s why I was asking.

Dan, how are you doing today?

Dan Hardy: Doing great, thank you.

Scott Fyfe: That’s good. Just talk about the situation of fighting in the U.K. for you. How much more comfortable do you get with each – with each outing at home?

Dan Hardy: To be honest, it makes no real difference where I fight …

Scott Fyfe: Right.

Dan Hardy: … I mean, you know, the octagon’s the octagon, wherever you are. But, you know, knowing that I can – I can drive to the venue, and, you know, I’ll be in front of the U.K. fans is always, you know, quite comforting. I know I’ve got good support over here.

Scott Fyfe: Thanks.

Operator: Your next question comes from Ryan McKinnon.

Ryan McKinnon: Hi, good evening, guys. Can you hear me OK?

Marshall Zelaznik: Yes.

Dan Hardy: Yes.

Ryan McKinnon: OK. Excellent. My question’s for Dan.

Dan, you just said that you’ve been training your weaknesses a lot since your loss to GSP. Do you feel you’ve done enough in your training camp to neutralize those threats, like takedowns and your submission defense, to keep it standing, where you’d like it?

Dan Hardy: Yes. I certainly think I’m well on the way. I mean, it’s something that’s going to constantly need improvement, just, you know, the same every area of my game. You know, I’m still working striking hard and improving at that as well. So it’s going to be a, you know, a constant process I’m going to be doing for the rest of my career. But I certainly feel that, you know, I’m certainly ready for the 120, and I’m looking forward to taking him down and choking him out.

Ryan McKinnon: Great. Thank you.

Operator: Next is Neil Davidson.

Neil Davidson: Yes. My question is for Carlos.

Carlos, I understand you called out Dan, so to speak, after a fight. You said you were looking – you wanted to fight him. What prompted you to do that? Obviously, you thought you saw something in Hardy that you could handle.

Carlos Condit: Well, you know, for one, Hardy’s got status in the UFC right now. You know, he was the number one contender. You know, so a win over him would, you know, probably catapult me up the rankings.

But, in addition to that, you know, he’s a – he’s the kind of fighter that, you know, that I want to fight. You know, he puts on exciting fights. You know, he comes to – comes to finish guys, and, you know, I want to be – I want to be an exciting fight, so I want to give the fans a show. And, you know, that’s, you know, that’s probably the main reason.

Neil Davidson: And in your career, you’ve shown the ability to come back from disadvantageous positions and win. Your last fight, or the MacDonald fight, the Canadian was doing very well and then you came back. It’s obviously a good talent to be able to have to come back, but I’m sure you don’t want to be in the position where you have to sort of come back. Is that just part of the way recent fights have gone?

Carlos Condit: Yes, you know, it’s, you know, it’s called fighting. It’s not – it’s not called winning. You know, it’s, you know, sometimes you’re going to face adversity and, you know, some guys, you know, crumble, some guys, you know, succumb to adversity, and some guys, you know – you know, thrive. And it just shows kind of the kind of person or the kind of fighter you are.

Neil Davidson: And Hardy, you showed that same kind of determination against St-Pierre by refusing to tap to some tough positions. What were your thoughts about his performance in that fight?

Dan Hardy: What, Carlos’ last performance?

Neil Davidson: No. I was – sorry, I was asking Carlos about Dan.

Dan Hardy: Oh, sorry.

Carlos Condit: Oh, Dan’s performance in the last fight. You know – you know, he showed a lot of – showed a lot of heart. GSP’s no joke, and, you know, he’s a, you know, that he does what he does very, very well. And, you know, he’s, you know, he – Dan obviously showed some determination.

Neil Davidson: OK, thank you. Good luck to both of you.

Operator: You have a follow-up question from Matt Manzella.

Matt Manzella: Yes, my question’s for Dan. Dan, being, (as you know), Carlos is primarily a standup fighter, do you feel as though this is the perfect fight for you, being that it’s in front of your hometown crowd and could potentially be fight of the night?

Dan Hardy: Well, yes, fight of the night bonus would be a – would be a, you know, nice addition to my bank account. I mean if, you know, if it’s up to me, I’d just stand on the Bud Light logo right in the middle of octagon and throw punches (that) (inaudible) over. You know, I’m confident what those are, I’m confident with my power and with my chin. So, you know, if that’s the way this – the fight goes, then I’m all for it.

But, you know, I’m – like I’ve been saying, I’ve been working out on my wrestling, my jujitsu, and, you know, so don’t be surprised if I take him down and put him to sleep.

Matt Manzella: Thanks a lot, Dan.

Dan Hardy: Thank you.

Operator: Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad.

There are no further questions at this time.

Marshall Zelaznik: All right. Thank you, operator.

Thank you, everybody, for joining. Particular thanks to the fighters for making the time today. I know it’s getting close to fight week. We’re looking forward to having everybody here in London, and I wish everyone the best.

Carlos Condit: Yes, thanks.

Marshall Zelaznik: Thank you.

Dan Hardy: Get on the plane, Carlos. Get on that plane, man. Look forward to it.

Carlos Condit: Do it.

Dan Hardy: So I can knock you out.

Operator: This concludes today’s conference. You may now disconnect.

END