In trying to keep its product as fan friendly as possible, the UFC’s parent company Zuffa took things to the next level on Thursday by holding its UFC 91 press conference in the lobby of the MGM Grand.
Mixed martial arts media were joined by over a thousand fans to hear what UFC president Dana White, heavyweight champion Randy Couture and challenger Brock Lesnar had to say about Saturday’s main event, being billed as "the biggest fight in UFC history."
From beginning to end, it was a pro-Couture crowd, as fans cheered his every statement chanting "champ" and "legend," every time he would finish a sentence. In contrast, the crowd showcased a mixed reaction to the challenger, Lesnar, by mixing in a few boos scattered amongst the clapping of hands.
Leading up to this press conference, there were a variety of angles for which those in attendance were seeking answers. How could Lesnar get a title shot in just the fourth bout of his career? What will Couture do to survive the human wrecking train that is Lesnar? And who would have ever thought a former WWE entertainer would one day vie for the heavyweight championship of the world?
For White, he never imagined this day would come.
“In the last nine years of doing press conferences, I never thought I’d say this," said White, who then paused, smiled and stated: "Fighting for the heavyweight championship, with a record of
2-1, Brock Lesnar."
In retrospect, it’s safe to say that nobody else imagined it either, especially for a fighter who is just 1-1 in the UFC.
While Lesnar’s inexperience may prove to be a detriment to him in this bout, he realizes the significance of potentially becoming the UFC heavyweight champion in just his fourth fight. He understands the task at hand and has one goal in mind.
“I’m coming for nothing less to take the title away," Lesnar said.
Feeling "fortunate for the opportunity" and "grateful" for the chance of a lifetime, Lesnar had a specific message for all UFC fans.
"I hope you’re ready and you put your seatbelts on."
After a 15-month layoff, the 45-year-old Couture will have his work cut out for him taking on "the next big thing" in the 275-pound Lesnar. With Couture coming into this fight at an estimated 225 pounds, one of the big questions leading up to this bout is how would he deal with the size difference.
His training camp was filled with worst-case scenarios.
"I put myself in some of those potentially bad situations that can happen in a fight," said Couture, who added it was 10 weeks of figuring out solutions to what Lesnar’s size, strength and wrestling brings to the tables. He brought in numerous amateur wrestlers who were over 270 pounds whose main goals were to smother Couture and keep him on his back. Couture’s goal was to not only survive, but work diligently and technically, at getting back to his feet.
While many fighters and fans question the UFC’s decision to give Lesnar a title shot, White firmly believes that after Lesnar’s victory over Heath Herring, he proved he was ready for the big time.
“I think he’s earned his respect now from the UFC and our fans. There are a lot of people who are
interested in seeing that at only 2-1, can this guy actually do it.”
On Saturday night, Lesnar will be looking to prove that the future is now, and that "the next big thing" label can be replaced with Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer’s voice booming out the phrase: "the new UFC Heavyweight Champion." For Couture, a loss may ignite the beginning of the end of an era; a symbolic passing of the torch to the next generation of MMA superstar.
