The following events in this thread occur on Friday, January 3rd, 2020 so no references or statements should be made on social media regarding this event until January 3rd, 2020.
The GCC President walks into the press conference in Greece to a feverish applause. As he walks to his podium he waives and smiles and throws a couple of GCC branded t-shirts into the crowd. He is a lot more relaxed then normal perhaps it is the holidays that have provided him with some much needed relief of having to run a multi million dollar MMA company.
Mr. Khan takes a seat next to GCC featherweight champion Gaia Galanos to his right and the challenger Juanita Sanchez to his left. He greets both women with a smile and a handshake as he settles in to officially begin the press conference.
The numbers are in from GFN 4 Khan vs. DeMeans and they show that they've broken all previous records with over 200, 000 new subscribers. How do you feel about this and how do you think GCC 4 will stack up?
Mr. Khan: The numbers from GFN 4 certainly lived up to our expectations and projections and certainly set the bar at a new high. It's also great when you have a main event headlining fight that lives up to the fans expectations in terms of entertainment it was one hell of a fight. As proud as we are about GFN 4, we expect similar results. Gaia Galanos has taken the world by storm and she's stepping in the octagon in her hometown against a proven entity in Juanita Sanchez who is a star in her own right.
Recently there's been a rash of controversial decisions and endings in high profile GCC fights. There was the Erik Malkasian/Tommy Ward decision and the late doctor stoppage of your own granddaughter, how do you feel about this?
Mr. Khan: I personally try to stay out of it and let the controversies be addressed by the fans. On face value, I believe both of these incidents were very objective but it's my job to keep my personal opinions or bias out of the equation. This is why I am not granting a rematch to my granddaughter, Rupika. I feel that she needs to use this opportunity to take a leap up in competition for the remainder of her career, she's big time now and I couldn't be more proud of her. As for Tommy, he is still in the mix and he'll get another shot sooner rather than later.
Do you find yourself pulling for specific fighters? I mean, Gaia Galanos specifically trains at the house of the Khan what do you say to those who may suggest she receives preferential treatment?
Mr. Khan: I am extremely proud of both of these women. While Gaia trains at the house of Khan she can tell you myself that I am pretty hands off with the gym on an operational level. At times, I might find myself thinking about fight outcomes in terms of revenue or what it would do for GCC's popularity and brand if a particular fighter was to win a specific fight but ultimately I want the best fighters regardless of popularity or personality to rise to the top. I think it's a neat thing that Gaia Galanos represents the Khan's name and family gym and does valiantly but that doesn't mean I am cheering for or against anybody. Let the best women win on Saturday Night and I am beyond excited to watch this fight front row.
What are your projections for 2020?
Mr. Khan: I expect that Gaia Galanos and Juanita Sanchez are going to start off the year with a bang. And then... well, I don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves but this time next year we want to be on everyone's mind as the premier MMA promotion in the world. We know our competition has a foothold on the USA market so our strategy is to focus on everywhere else until we are literally everywhere else.
Thank you friends.
Fazan Khan respectfully bows his head as the media begins to direct their questioning to the fighters in attendance.
"The New Perfection" Jay Aguero steps up onto the stage accompanied by his "life consultant" and social media manager, Jen Rivera. Rather than address the crowd directly, Jen Rivera instead approaches the microphones at the podium.
Jen Rivera: We are actually not taking questions at this time. The New Perfection wishes to get back to his mental preparation for tomorrow's fight with 'El Pantera' Alejandro Rivera. I will make this short and sweet. The New Perfection has enlisted my services to better spread his word so that he does not have to address incompetence. At GCC 4, my client is not looking to go out there to win any awards. He does not wish to have some long drawn out fight that ends in a decision. He is looking to stop this fight quick and suddenly. This is not to disrespect the name of El Pantera. Instead, it is solely because he drew the short straw for tomorrow night. A name is a name. No matter whose name was drawn to face off against The New Perfection he would have done exactly what he always does; study his opponents, find their weaknesses, exploit said weaknesses and walk away with defeat.
Alice Turner <Splat! Sports Intern>: Your client seems to have an air of confidence about him. What makes him stand out more than Rivera who has been training at the Lone Wolf MMA gym? Your client has no affiliation.
Jen Rivera: I'm sorry. What is your name?
Alice Turner <Splat! Sports Intern>: Alice Turner with Splat! Sports.
Jen Rivera: Oh well, I apologize. I fear I wasn't clear enough when I said we wouldn't be fielding questions today.
Jen Rivera rolls her eyes as she audibly scoffs at Alice Turner.
Jen Rivera: Perhaps I will give you this one. The New Perfection does not need to affiliate with any of your known gyms. The New Perfection prefers to work out on his own terms. He chooses not to expose himself to those that can leak his regimen. The New Perfection is a guarded man and in due time all of you will learn just why that is. You've only seen a taste of what my client is capable of but soon... real soon The New Perfection will be unleashed upon Global Combat Championship and no one will realize what hit them until it is too late.
Jen Rivera flashes a smile as she takes a step back from the podium, gives The New Perfection Jay Aguero a pat on the back and the two leave the stage as reports shout over themselves hoping to get more out of the dual sport competitor.
After speaking to Anaquin Adams, the media begins to direct their questioning to her opponent, Krystal Knight.
Bob Brayheart <MMA analyst> Krystal, you lost a close decision fight to Juanita Sanchez as she was able to out grapple you and control you on the ground for the majority of the fight. Why do you think a fight with another world class wrestler in Anaquin Adams is going to go any different?
Krystal Knight: I don't. But hey, isn't that why we take that walk through the crowd anyways? I mean it doesn't matter who you are everyone has their critics. No matter how egotistical some of us may appear on the outside we all have our own insecurities and in a way we are all trying to prove something to ourselves be it right OR wrong. My goal hasn't changed just because I lost my last fight, I want to be the GCC featherweight champion. I want to show everyone that I learned from my last fight and that I continue to improve each time I fight.
Anaquin Adams was the only opponent that made any sense to me.
Kathy Santos <MMA analyst> What do you think makes the lightweight champion, your friend and training partner Awut Somaskul so good?
Krystal Knight: Wow, that's a pretty loaded question. The more I think about it, the more I realize how great of a fighter Awut really is. He doesn't need to show up to press conferences, he doesn't need to talk trash or update his fans on twitter -- he simply shows up to fight and finds a way to win. He's smart. Very calculated. Quite frankly, I think he's playing chest while the rest of us are playing checkers. In fact if I show up this Saturday and Anaquin strangles me to death, I have it written in my will that Awut Somaskul is going to get half my fight purse and will inherit Lone Wolf MMA as the head coach and owner.
Janice Jackson <Sports Reporter> Lone Wolf MMA fighters are quickly receiving a reputation as a gym with fighters who lack killer instincts, who fail to finish fights. How do you respond to those criticisms?
Krystal Knight: I think there's more then two ways to skin a cat. Every time I go into the cage, I am doing my best to finish the fight as quickly as possible but at this level, it isn't so easy. The GCC featherweight women are a tough bunch who don't break easily. Take Misty for example, she came to GCC with a 5 fight win streak all by KO/TKO but didn't put Rupika away in the same manner on her first fight here. I know that's all anecdotal and MMAmath isn't actually a thing, I just believe it's an interesting observation worth pointing out.
Anastasia Karras <Blogger> In the main event Gaia Galanos will be fighting Juanita Sanchez for the featherweight championship. Who do you think is going to win that fight?
Krystal Knight: That's a very tough call, I think I am going to play it safe and not make a prediction on it. Personally, I would love to see Juanita Sanchez walk out with the GCC championship so I will be rooting for her but Gaia Galanos has looked nothing short of great in every fight she's had so far and is looking hard to beat. All I can really say is that I am proud of both of these women for their efforts in making women's MMA the premier attraction here in Global. Thank you.
Alice Turner <Splat! Sports Intern> There has been some speculation surrounding Anaquin's camp heading into the fight, what do you think of some of the rumors you've heard thus far?
Krystal Knight: Alice, I am not about to address rumors. I'm sticking to the facts. If Anaquin say's she had a good camp and is ready for a fight, I am not going to sit here and doubt her. If this wasn't her sitting at this table and my opponent was someone unsavory then I'd assume that they were just trying to create a climate that will allow them to make an excuse for why they couldn't preform up to the standards expected of them. Luckily, we're dealing with a class act.
Alice Turner <Splat! Sports Intern> Did you see Anaquins road to retirement series on the splat network? If so, what do you think about it?
Krystal Knight: I did see it and I loved every minute of it. You really got a chance to see how much she's given up to pursue MMA full time and how much this sport really means to her. On Saturday Night, I think I am going to give her another chapter of her career worth talking about on prime time television. Maybe a sequel? Anaquin, I wish you the best of luck.
Krystal Knight glanced over at Anaquin Adams and payed her with a respectful nod before gently placing the microphone on the table.
Anaquin Adams makes her way to the podium and makes the following statements.
On her professional wrestling retirement:
"Sometimes you realize when in order to succeed in one venture you have to put another behind you and this was the case when I decided to retire from wrestling. I still watch and keep up with the sport, but in order for me to become successful in MMA, it's time to me to put 100 percent of my focus on my MMA training. The retirement match hurt me, but I'm feeling great and ready to go."
On her last fight with Jessica House:
"I think you can tell in the end that I was just as surprised to get the win as everyone else. I'm still working this sport and learning the nuances that help you win. But, that was a big moment for me considering my only other match was a decision loss to the current champion. And honestly, it was this moment that made me decide that MMA was what I wanted to do from this point forward."
On her opponent this weekend:
"Take nothing away from Krystal Knight, and I never would do that because she's amazing, but I am feeling a wave of momentum running through me. Now, she could just as well stop all of that momentum, but I cannot focus on ifs right now because what I feel right now is very powerful. Strong. I have to go in there and put up a dominant fight against Knight and prove myself to everyone who doubts my ability. I heard terms like 'lucky' from my last fight and it's time to put those things to rest."
On her training in secret:
"There's definitely a reason why I've kept my training closed-door. I'm unable to answer why that is at this time, but perhaps post match, I will say a few things. But, that being said, I've been learning some new things that I hope I can implement in the fight tomorrow, so I hope you will all tune in."
Gaia Galanos Calls for the KO in Greece
As a couple of fighters took their questions, Gaia Galanos watched rather stoically such as we had become accustomed to from the GCC Featherweight Champion. She only changed that demeanor once during the
whole time to shoot an ambitious smile at her opponent upon being mentioned by her challenger, Juanita Sanchez. Once the questions started coming Gaia's way, she answered each with the calm and grace of a champion.
On the outcome of Misty DeMeans and Rupika Khan's match:
"Rupika was well-prepared for that fight. I believe that showed well with her performance. Even Misty had to give her credit where it was due. Unfortunately, sometimes matches just don't go your way. Misty damaged Rupika to the point that the doctor had to make a decision. It wasn't a popular decision, but it was a decision he felt needed to be made. No sense in whining over spilt milk. As Mr. Khan stated before, Rupika just needs to get back up and move on to the next fight. That loss wasn't a step backward for her. It was a leap forward."
On her preparation for her fight against Juanita Sanchez:
"Juanita made it to this fight for a reason. She defeated Krystal Knight, showing the this fight was meant to be. I began preparing the moment they were announced as my contenders. I have been studying film, but I also had the opportunity to watch the two of them fight. Sanchez is a warrior, but so am I. And, I'm ready to show her exactly how I have prepared for her at GCC 4."
On her return to Greece:
"I was able to compete here while I was an active professional wrestler, but I hadn't been back since as a result of my busy schedule. Fortunately, there are perks to being a top draw in the company. I love being home and being afforded the opportunity to fight in front of my own kin, and I will not disappoint. January 4th, I'm stepping into the octagon and I will knock Juanita Sanchez out."
(Sorry about the lack of image on this one. For some reason, it wouldn't post like I hoped it would. Hopefully I can get one up there next time.)
Nika walks into the room and sees her seat with her name sat on the desk in front. She sits quickly and avoids eye contact with the crowd of reporters, she snatches at her drink and takes a quick gulp before looking out signalling she is ready for questions.
"Hey Nika, to your left.. Yes hey. How has your training camp gone this time around?"
Nika: Great, I've had a good friend of mine, Christian Ibanez pushing me on my grappling and that's been a lot of fun. He's wrestling based so having him push me to my limits has me confident I will be able to handle any situation I find myself in.
" Does that mean you're preparing for the fight to go to the ground? Because last time out you kept it on the feet because you wanted to show off your boxing."
Nika: Well the ground is where I feel I'm at my best and I know my opposition feels the same way about her skills too so, yes, I expect this fight to be mainly on the ground… For how long, I'm not sure but I know I don't want to be trapped under her for too long.
"You're fight got a decent reaction from the crowd last time out, do you reckon you can do the same this time around?"
Nika: Well I hope I get a better reaction than last time, I hope I am able to show off my grappling skills and show how world class I am on the ground. I kind of regret not doing it in my last fight because I feel, using hindsight, that I may have been able to earn a stoppage
"You tweeted that you didn't want to lose an opportunity over someone who is more vocal than you. Who were you talking about?"
Nika: Well… Misty has come into this company and headlined right off the bat and I'm not saying she didn't deserve to do that but I feel I had the same kind of celebrity but I didn't get the same opportunity. I'm happy for her I am but because she talks a lot I don't want to be missed out because I'm silently working away. Same goes for Rupika, she mentioned about throwing her family name to get certain shots and I know Mr Khan has just put that to bed but it still plays on my mind.
"You mention Misty and Rupika, would you like to fight either of them?"
Nika: Yeah, I'll fight anyone in the division. I feel I can beat anyone and cause a lot of problems for people. They are both big names so having them on my resume is always going to be a desire I have.
" Who do you think takes the main event fight? "
Nika: oh that's a hard one… I can't really say for certain. Sanchez has a loss to Mila who got destroyed by Gaia but match-ups don't always play out like that. Saying that I feel Gaia is a better wrestler that Mila was and that'll be the main factor in that match up. But good luck to both ladies!
"no more questions"
Nika: Thank you everyone!
She tenses up as Fazan Khan lays his microphone down. This week in Greece has been a new experience for her. She's been booed, jeered at, and overall disliked.
Her reception at the open workouts was sour. She was even debating whether to come here. Jay said it was necessary, so here she is.
"This question is for Juanita Sanchez." Startled by the sound of her name she looked up to find the reporter. He was a tall, middle aged man. She threw on her best smile.
"How do you feel going into your first championship fight in arguably the deepest division in GCC right now?" She shrugs her shoulders. How does she feel? The experience is a little overwhelming, the crowd is going to be hostile, but she can't say that out loud. So she smiles at the reporter gently and gives a cookie-cutter answer.
"I feel great!" She replied enthusiasticly. "Greece is such a pretty country and I've enjoyed visiting it." What a lie. The only thing she's enjoyed about Greece are her teammates keeping her spirits up.
"How do you feel you stack up against Gaia Galanos? You're both wonderful wrestlers. What do you think the outcome will be?"
Juanita looks over towards the reporter asking that question. She's a young girl maybe 25. Juanita smiles in response to the question. She's been excited about the match for a while. It'll be a great fight.
"I think we're going to put on a show. We are two high caliber wrestlers with different agendas." She notices the reporter looking at her thirsty for more, so Juanita continues on.
"I'm the girl who likes to ground my opponent and impose my will. Gaia likes to stand and strike and her world class defensive wrestling allows that. It's going to be a battle of wills and may the best woman win." Juanita smiled at the reporter and toward Gaia, who smiled back.
The rest of the press conference was its usual run-of-the-mill GCC presser. Juanita was asked a few more questions. Most in regards to Misty DeMeans. She answered them politely enough, but was vague. She doesn't care for Misty, but doesn't want her to talk her way into a household name either. So for now those questions regarding Misty will be deflected.