The following events in this thread occur on January 28th, 2021 so no references or statements should be made on social media regarding this event until January 28th, 2021.
On the success of GFN 16 (Ward vs. Wilkins)
''The event far surpassed our expectations in terms of gaining new subscribers. On the strength of the main event we actually had a huge uptick of new subscriptions after the fight as word of mouth quickly spread about how insane that fight was. I know heading into the event Leah Wilkins set out to put Fight Night on the map so to speak and I think she did that even in the face of a losing effort. GFN 16 was the most subscribed to fight night card in our history and both Sammie Ward and Leah Wilkins should be proud to be on the headliner of that event with honor mentions to Krystal Knight who put on a show of her own against Mia Stevens in the co main event slot.''
On reaching 4 million splat TV subscribers
''We have reached yet another historical milestone with SPLAT and to do so this early into the year is spectacular. The SPLAT network features some of the most popular streaming content in the world right now rivaling powerhouses like Netflix and Hulu services. It's an honor to be apart of their which has given the GCC a platform in front of a world wide audience to air the most exciting mma fights live without interference and tape delays. We are eternally grateful for our partnership with the SPLAT network.''
On Osira Themis being on the cover
''Osira Themis has made history as the first GCC fighter to grace the cover of a PPV poster as a solo feature and I feel that it is an honor well deserved. Osira has shown a tremendous amount of improvement in her past three fights after initially losing in her debut which had made her the most improved fighter of 2020. While the choice to feature her exclusively has drawn us some criticism from our fans, the Themis family has some of the most marketable faces in the sport of MMA and that cannot be overlooked. While we would have loved to feature the GCC bantamweight champion Ariel Shadows on the poster unfortunately we weren't able to arrange a photoshoot within the time frame to make that happen and our graphic designers were inspired to take a different approach as a result. If Ariel Shadows has been slighted by this in anyway, I don't know but she is free to express her feelings about it at this very press conference should she choose to do so.''
On the co main event
''This fight has been on the books for a couple of months now. With Ken Felder recently making the move to TW Combat Sports we had to consider making re-arrangements for both of these guys but to my surprise they were all for having the fight regardless. It's a unique situation usually guys have been training with each-other for years before they have to fight each other but in this case, Ken Felder will be making his debut out of the same camp as his opponent. That's a very weird dynamic and it was interesting to hear how things played out for both of these guys training camp leading up to the fight tomorrow night.''
On Ariel Shadows vs. Osira Themis
''Boy with the way that these two ladies fight, I can't really see this fight going to a decision. Ariel Shadows is extremely long for the division something that Osira's camp has openly acknowledged was hard to prepare for. Ariel's length along with her kick boxing ability makes her a threat at range. Osira on the other hand has shown a vast improvement in all aspects of her MMA game and will likely try to take the fight in areas that Ariel Shadows is less familiar with. With Osira having lost to an inferior striker before it's very unlikely that she will want to play that game with Ariel Shadows who has proven that she is undoubtedly the best kick boxer in the Women's Bantamweight division.''
The feed transitions onto a shot of former middleweight champion Jack Nation. He seems to be sitting comfortably awaiting questions from the media.
"Hey Jack. Thank you for taking the time to join us today, how do you feel after cutting down to lightweight for the first time."
"It was a little rough, but I got through it. I came in this week a little heavy, and had to cut more than I originally anticipated."
"Will you be going back to 185 then?"
"No. Lightweight is my new home. I have hired a nutritionist, and together we will get my weight under control, and we hope to be a threat in this division."
"How is your rehydration going?"
"Great. Fortunately we're allowed to rehydrate with IV's so I'm good on that front. This isn't my favorite technique, but the coaching staff at House of Khan and I will figure it out."
"Do you feel the rough weight cut will make a difference in your fight tomorrow?"
"No. Whether I win or lose Arturo Montana is a great fighter, and I will have no excuses."
"What are your goals now that you have dropped to lightweight?"
"Ultimately I want to build my legacy in this sport. It would be nice to be the first in GCC history to capture titles in two divisions. That's my goal."
Jack Nation waits for further questions, but when none come he cordially excuses himself.
On being Exclusively Featured on Promotional Material
"Ultimately, I'm honored to be the first Global Combat Championship fighter to feature exclusively. DeMeans can't say that, Galanos can't say that, and Shadows definitely can't say that. "
"Is it deserved? They think so. I think so. Does my face look good next to that logo? Of course it does. That's scientific fact, we can't argue genetics people, you heard the man. Marketability is the key word, GCC is looking for it's new IT girl with Misty on the way out and those laurels have fallen my pretty head. Do I feel bad Ariel got snubbed, uh...no. If it's ruffled some feathers, got a few people in their feels, deal with it. You'll be seeing alot more of this face."
On the Pressure of Her First Main Event
"This is why we're here right? Every single one of those fighters in the back hope's for this moment. The spotlight, the big stage, all the greats had their name on the marquee at some point. It would be a lie if I said it was just like any other fight. A title is on the line, pride is on the line, a big pay day is on the line. I'll either make history tomorrow or just be a footnote. Yeah, there are some jitters, always are. When the cage closes and the bell rings though, that's when it becomes just another fight and all the theatrics and hype gets muted. I'm ready for this."
On the Difficulty Preparing for Ariel's Height & Length
"She's a literal freak of nature and that's not a compliment. That height and that weight, I don't know her walk around weight, but it can't be healthy. It was a nightmare finding sparring partners so we mixed and matched depending on whatever we working on during particular days. I mean, she's not physically imposing. It doesn't scare me. She's just effing awkward."
On Shadow's Infamous Kickboxing Ability
"She's a very high level kickboxer, a very dangerous kickboxer. My first and only lost loss was to kickboxer so I get how the opinion might be she's going to give me trouble. People also forget that I was up on the scorecard in that first fight. A lot of people don't know that I took a shot in the ribs in the first round that I tried to fight through before Petrov hit me in the same spot in the second.
People, um..Jocelyn, underestimate my reflexes, my foot and head movement. I've seen quite a few kick heavy strategies in the fights leading up to this one. I can handle a one dimensional fighter like Shadow's perfectly fine. I dropped Feloni with a head kick, I dropped the last girl with an uppercut and the the fight before those two I out wrestled my opponent.
I am not the only the most improved fighter of last year, but I am the most complete fighter Ariel has ever faced. As good as her striking, my arsenal is deeper and she can't hope standing and banging is going to get the job done."
On the Strategy for This Fight
"Everyone has been so afraid of her range they've been timid in the cage, been on the defensive trying to counter strike her or just get her on the ground. If your going to sit back and wait she does have the range to reach out and touch you. If you get one dimensional and telegraph the wrestling...she will reach out and touch you. No one has really pressured her and put her on the defensive.
I'm faster than she is, I'm stronger than she she is. I'm more aggressive than she is. Bell to bell I'm smothering this bitch, I will be in her grill start to finish. Punches, Kicks, Clinch, Ground, I'm chopping this tree down and mulching her up. Win or no win I promise you this, Ariel Shadows will never want to get in the cage with me again.
On fighting a teammate
These fights aren't personal for me. There's no issue between me and Ken. I watched the guy train and he watched me train. After this fight I'll show him what he did wrong, and I'll make him a better fighter, that's after I fuck him up on Friday night.
He's a cool dude, but that doesn't mean he and I don't have to handle business. It is what it is, my brother.
On the coaching situation
Hey they said they want to stay out of it on Friday. They helped us both during our training camps, but we're on our own when we step in the cage, and that's fine by me.
They say it's the fair thing to do and I agree.
On his training camp
It went pretty good. I like training with my buddies. I trained with Scotty Gordy. That guy will fuck you up. I wrestled around with Reggie Martin. If he can't get me down nobody can. I'm ready for Friday night chief.
On his move to middleweight
I wanted something new. I don't have any challenges left at lightweight except for my brother Rob, and I didn't want to take his glory. (
(Paul chuckles)
I fought the former middleweight champion, and that didn't go so well so I put on some weight, and it's going to be a different story. you're looking at the new predator of the middleweight division.
On his trouble dealing with submission fighters
That's what they say. Like I said Jack Nation he's a former middleweight champion, and I wasn't prepared for how strong he could be. I went back and started training with Reggie Martin, and Tommy Ward. Those guys showed me what it's like to face off with the upper weight classes.
As for Indigo Greene. I fucked him up.
On his mindset going into the fight
It's going to be a good fight. He's got some skills, but mine are better. Friday night he and I will show you what #thetwcombatshow really means, then that'll be the end of that business.
Saturday we'll head back to Staten Island, and then I'll show him how to be a better fighter like I said before. We'll be brothers then, now he's just another dude
On his gameplan
I'll do what I always do. I'm going in there and I'm going to show my striking. I've added a little extra to my game. You'll see it on Friday night.
On her highlight reel KO of Katherine O'Campos
I was very pleased when I felt her body go limp. I just watched her as she came in for a takedown and I threw the knee.
I may be able to get another highlight reel knockout, but I'm not going to force one to happen. If it is there then it is there, if it's not then maybe next time.
On her status in the featherweight division
I've beaten some tough fighters, but I haven't fought the best yet. Jade Young will be the highest ranked opponent I fought in GCC. With a win over her I hope to fight a top five opponent next.
I'm not looking past this fight. Jade Young is very tough, but I am confident in my abilities.
On rumors of her being a late replacement
I don't know. My manager sets up all the fights. If I am filling it for somebody I wouldn't know, but I do want to thank GCC regardless for the opportunity.
On her mindset going into this fight
I feel like I am in a good place. I'm coming off of two GCC wins, and my knockout win in Supreme MMA. I have a lot of confidence going into the fight, but I'm not overconfident. I'm excited to step in the cage again, and I hope to put on a good show for all the fans.
-A new screen for the conference call comes on, a large man with a green tinted suit, a Ireland flag on his back, and a grin oozing confidence appears on the camera. Journalists and reporters mutter to themselves as the man begins to speak-
The Man: "Sorry I'm late lads, traffic around here, can be pretty hectic you know? But now that I'm here, we can get this really started."
James Pearlma: "Excuse me, but who are you?"
The Man: "Who the hell are you mate?"
James Pearlma: "Why I'm James Pearlma. Fighting Journalist and expert in-
The Man: "Say no more Jamie boy, because you've already failed at your job of being a fricken Journalist. You're supposed to know the fighters you expect to see at conferences like this yeah? Supposed to know who they are, where they come from, who their daddy was and why your wife isn't lucky enough to be my escort for the night."
-Some chuckles are heard as the Journalist presses the mute button-
The Man: "Let me tell you all exactly who I am. I hail from the greatest nation known to mankind, as you can see by my flag here, God's blessed lands of the Republic of Ireland. Sitting before you is me, one person of the first fight on this gracious card of some of the most elite fighters in the world TO-DAY! And I'm going to show you why, I am this companies pure and unfiltered future. And to those who haven't gotten the hint of the person in front of you blind sheep, the name is Eoin O'ROURKE!! That's pronounced Owen, with a O a apostrophe, then Rourke, to you native English. Get it? Got it? Good. Now shoot me with questions I'm getting bored of this place already holy hell."
-A Female reporter begins to speak-
Female Reporter: "So uh... Mr. O....Rourke? I guess. It says here that you are facing the 'Eastbull' Andrei Tratis as your first fight in GCC, is this your first ever fight? Have you any knowledge or experience in fighting this well versed opponent?"
Eoin O'Rourke: "Finally a intelligent question in this place. No lass, this is far from my first fight, I've fought before when I was in schools and all. Street fighting, here and there, but this is my first time doing fighting as a career. Me whole life, I've been fighting all kinds of punks, bullies, scumbags, and all round assholes. For the first time though I ain't really gotta do that. This place is for professionals, which I'm sure Tratis is. He's probably the nicest human being you'll ever meet, I don't know, and to be honest, I don't really care. The fact of the matter is this fine gentlemen here, Mr. Khan, had book me to face ol Tratis so, I train and I train hard. I train to punch some serious lights out and for the Eastbull, he's in my way because he's the first on the card, first to fight me, and first that I promise will be my win. First of many I hope."
-The female reporter writes down something and another reporter begins speaking. This time a male-
Male Reporter: "So Mr. O'Rourke, you claim that you have been training extensively for this preliminary opener. Who have you been training with? And why for just this placement on the card?"
Eoin O'Rourke: "Easy, I care about fighting and winning, and beating the piss out of people. For this reason, I've been training with T.W. Combat Sports out of New York. Their a fine buncha folks who also like to beat the piss out of people. Just like The Wonder Girl Sammie did this last Fight Night huh? Yeah. They all help out in their way. Paul Rossi especially helping me against the Eastbull. And of coarse a big shout out help from Coach Williams. Seriously got my head on straight thanks to him. I can see me living in New York, which a year ago, I would never say I'd dare venture to the Big Apple, but time changes folks."
Male Reporter: "One more question sir. What do you feel about the rest of the card?"
Eoin O'Rourke: Don't know, to be frank. I'mma go in, punch the Eastbull's lights out, go to the back, watch my fellow teammate Paulie fight Ken Felder and stick around for the main event. Then after that, I'm taking T.W. Combat with me to the nearest club to party for the rest of the night. Because this will be the night of a debut, no one will forget. I promise you that. Anybody else?"
-The male writes down the answers and nobody else speaks up-
Eoin O'Rourke: "No? Nobody? Alright then."