The following events in this thread occur on February 25th, 2021 so no references or statements should be made on social media regarding this event until February 25th, 2021.
On missing the GFN 17 press conference earlier this month
''I am doing just fine and I thank you for your concern. I wasn't able to attend the zoom press conference due to some health related issues. While I won't get into any details, I was advised by doctors to rest in bed. The press conference otherwise went off without a hitch and I appreciate the attending fighters professionalism in my absence. I love doing these things and intend to as long as god is willing.''
On GFN 17 breaking all previous new subscriber records
''I wasn't surprised. When you get two guys like Alejandro Rivera and Aleksandr Baranov in the cage together MMA fans are going to want to see it. Then you factor in all the hype, all the back and forth and the backstory leading up to the fight and you have all the ingredients you need for record breaking. I don't want to take anything away from either of these guys but an article was released earlier this week detailing our numbers worldwide, our expanding reach and the amount of new networks and satellite providers that have begun to work with us allowing us to reach brand new viewers using more traditional forms of media. We anticipate that the record that currently stands will continue to be broken throughout 2021 and beyond.''
On the Misty DeMeans featherweight title situation
''I don't think it's fair to compare the Ross Hanson title situation to the Misty DeMeans women's featherweight title situation at all. I was informed by Ross Hanson's team that he would be unable to defend the title for an indefinite time and to this day, I haven't spoken to him personally. Misty on the other hand; despite her claims of retirement, I have been able to speak with her on a weekly basis as we continue to work on terms that we can both agree with. If at any point it is made clear by her that she will not defend the title under any circumstance, then we will move forward with vacating the title. In the meantime, Misty DeMeans has expressed interest in seeing how GFN 18 plays out with Jessica House vs. Gaia Galanos before coming to an official decision she can't turn back from.''
On Alexia Amauri vs. Trixie Redd
''Both of these women are on the cusp of breaking through into the main event picture and a win here will be the step they need to take to get to the next level. There's a lot of uncertainty right on the women's featherweight division and in the event anything drastic happens the winner of this fight will be first one to get a call. Alexia Amauri has a great track record in the GCC and while her cardio's always been a question she is one of the most naturally gifted women in the division. On the other hand, Trixe Redd's aggression inside the cage has yet to be matched by anyone with the exception of maybe Sophie Anderson who turned out to be an absolute basket case. Trixie is far more talented and career driven and she's been able to channel that aggression in a much more effective way. I think this fight steals the show as the fight of the night.''
On the main event
''I personally feel that this is the best lightweight title fight the division has ever seen. Sanit Klahan is coming off the heels of the biggest upset in GCC history to defend his title against the undefeated Fabiano Bonucci who has shown he is a star ready to breakout into the main stream. Sanit Klahan has won a GCC championship in just his second fight - a record that will unlikely ever be beaten again due to the special circumstances that made it possible in the first place. Meanwhile, Fabiano Bonucci has fought his way to the title taking the traditional route and made it look as easy as possible a long the way. The lightweight division as a whole has turned around quickly and is now one of the divisions with the most depth. We have a long list of killers waiting to get their shot against whoever wins this fight. I believe Sanit will once again embrace being the underdog against Fabiano Bonucci who has proven to be the heaviest hitter in the division. Tomorrow night will prove whether or not Klahan's chin held up long enough to pass his greatest test.''
Sanit Klahan is streaming the zoom call while walking down the street in Milan, Italy enjoying the sights with the rest of his team. Notably, Krystal Knight, Tim McCarthy, Awut Somaskul and Alejandro Rivera are present pacing behind him in the background engaging in some random chit chatter.
Sanit Klahan: Hello my friends! I wanted to get on this zoom call with you all - with my victory over Rob Jones coming so fast and so sudden life has really chased it's pace on me and I am finding it harder and harder to keep up with it everyday. The GCC fans know about me, many of them have seen me on GUF but with 15 other fighters sharing airtime over an hour once a week - how well do they really know me?
Several passerby spot Klahan, he respectfully nods his head and continues on.
Sanit Klahan: So, I'll get to all the questions the media has for me I promise but I want to first have the floor to share my story. I was born in Thailand but unlike most of my brethren, I did not grow up in Thailand for all of my life. I've lived in many different countries in my lifetime, the United States, Brazil, Columbia, Germany, France - in fact, it's not my first time visiting beautiful Italy either. The United States was the first country I had moved too from Thailand, I moved when I was eight years old. At that time, I did not speak a word of English beyond hello. I spent the next several years being bullied by the other kids, outcast, never able to fit in. Desperate to fix this, I tried my hardest to learn English. At some point it became a reality.
Sanit Klahan pauses to recollect his thoughts before relinquishing an disappointing sigh.
Sanit Klahan: ... but when I learned English, it only made things worse. I was still bullied by the other kids, outcast and unable to fit in only now I understood the insults and abuse that were directed to me on the daily. And being able to speak the language? Well, one should already know that idiots cannot be reasoned with. Beaten, confused and dejected I know I had to take matters into my own hands.
For a moment, Klahan is interrupted. Krystal Knight dips into the frame wrapping her arm around Klahan offering some Italian candy she had just bought off the street.
Sanit Klahan: Much like I had to learn English, I realized I had to learn the language of Mixed Martial Arts in order to defend myself at the age of 14. I still remember the long days and nights I spent at the gym ever since then I have never stopped learning. In between training sessions, I would study. It was at this time, I was learning Spanish - plotting the ultimate escape from the United States and all the discrimination I have faced. Admittedly, I became no better that my abusers. I hated the Americans.''
Krystal Knight: Mā lxng dū khuṇ yạng ca thảh̄ı̂ n̂ảh̄nạk!
He obliges and pops some candy into his mouth and continues on.
Sanit Klahan: Many years later, I would return to my homeland of Thailand and continue my MMA training there. In these formative years, there were not nearly as many opportunities to make a career in MMA like the opportunities to provided to us by the GCC. So in order to support myself, I began to do some tutoring on the side. Can you guess who my first student was?
Sanit points at Krystal Knight.
Sanit Klahan: Although, I was her teacher she had taught me more than I ever thought I could learn. It was through seeing her struggle everyday for years in Thailand that I realized it was never the Americans I hated.
Sanit Klahan and the rest of the team are stopped at a light.
Sanit Klahan: And here I was - spending hours per day learning as many languages as I possibly could learn hoping that one day, I'd finally find someone - somewhere, who truly understood me. Someone who listens. Someone who cared. And well, I found it. Right here in Thailand - with Krystal, with Lone Wolf MMA and all these guys who I love to death. My team. My friends. My family.
The light turns green and Klahan and the rest of his team begin to walk across the street.
Sanit Klahan: So when you hear me speak these other languages, don't be confused. Don't mistake it as me being kind or respectful nor disrespect. Just take my words for what they are, what they mean, for what they say.
Fabiano Bonucci, al GCC 17 sarò un eroe per il popolo italiano dopo averti picchiato come un cane rabbioso.
(Fabiano Bonucci, at GCC 17 I will be a hero to the people of Italy after I beat you like a rabid dog.)
He laughs and then nods along.
Sanit Klahan: Okay, so the introductions over. You've met your lightweight champ. I'll take some questions....
Reporter: Hi, Sanit. I was wondering about your thoughts on....