The following events in this thread occur on May 7th, 2020 so no references or statements should be made on social media regarding this event until May 7th, 2020 . Due to COVID-19 the press conference will be held via Telephone.
[Operator] Good evening everyone and welcome to the GCC 8 conference call! Today call is being recorded as it's time for opening remarks and introductions, I'd like to turn the call over to GCC President, Fazan Khan.
Mr. Khan
Thank you very much and thank you to all the fighters and press outlets we have on call with us today.
I want to start by saying that GCC 8 Revenko vs. Jones surpassed our initial projections and brought in 161, 810 new subscribers in an event that saw a new lightweight king crowned at 155. I want to start by congratulating Rob Jones and his wonderful camp at TW Combat sports who have done a brilliant job out of New York in creating a positive fight culture and developing their young talent.
Beyond that, I am absolutely pumped for GCC 8! Before we get into the main and co main events, I have received several comments by friends and fans alike telling me how excited they are for what was initially seen as a sleeper fight. I know that Aleksandr Baranov expressed his desire to fight Ross Hanson on multiple occasions and I ultimately decided to pull the trigger in hopes that it would spark a light under Ross Hanson's butt and boy did it! I am pleased to hear that Ross Hanson is in the best shape of his life and will be performing at his peak potential and we're in for one hell of a fight on Friday Night!
In the co - main event we have Juanita Sanchez vs. Trixie Redd. After a dominate performance over Sophie Anderson last time out, Juanita Sanchez has always been a consistent name when it comes to title discussions and a win over Trixie Redd will solidify her status as a top contender in the featherweight division once again. As for Trixie, she has the opportunity to mix up the entire division with an upset victory here and send Juanita back to square one. This is a very high risk fight Juanita has taken but it was important for her to stay active and get a fight in while we figure out what we need to do with Misty and her situation.
Speaking of Misty DeMeans, I will not be addressing her comments, claims nor demands during the duration of this particular press conference but we will address the situation in due time. Stay tuned.
Finally, our main event which will see Jack Nation defend his middleweight championship for the first time against Christian Ibanez! Jack Nation has proven to be one of the best submission artists in the GCC with two back to back submission wins over the likes of Sigurd Bjarnasson and Clive Hicks. Meanwhile, Christian Ibanez has solidified himself as an X factor in the division and has always found a way to win, no matter the circumstance. After a controversial split decision win over Sigurd Bjarnason, you can`t help but think that Ibanez has an added chip on his shoulder to take Jack Nation out of this fight in a spectacular fashion to prove undoubtedly that he is the king at 185.
In closing, I just want to add that while I may be the President of an MMA promotion, I am an MMA fan first and foremost. I am extremely excited for GCC 8 and I can`t wait to watch it all play out like I know our fans and friends will watching at home!
Thank you for listening, please... lets allow our fighters to take the floor.
GCC PRESS CONFERENCE 8 SOUND BYTES
Jade Young
If Sophie believes my record speaks about my career, she's got another thing coming.
Aleksandr Baranov
Ross Hanson is great wrestler. I cannot take that away from him. In fact, that is part of reason why I challenge him originally. I am looking to become Global Heavyweight Champion and defeating fighters who win is the way to do that. It's funny. This is first time Ross Hanson has looked like he had a fire lit under his ass in very, very long time. The fact that his own gym disowned him is proof enough. Haha! Maybe Dadman Szalinski give him high-five and a few pointers after COVID scare, huh?"
Sophie Anderson
Damn, I need to talk to you before every fight? Fuck off, will you?!"
Osira Themis
Win or lose, if she doesn't need reconstructive surgery after, I'm considering it a failure.
Ross Hanson
Wanna learn how to defend yourself on the street against a loud mouth bully? Lesson in session on May 8th.
Christian Ibanez
"I'm going to be the next Middleweight Champion of the world, my name is going down in history! Jack has stopped nearly all his fights here in GCC but I'm going to be the first man in this company to stop him here! My last fight stunk out the place and that's because I wanted to showcase my skills against him but he wasn't willing to engage as much as I thought he would. So this fight, I'm going to him and I'm knocking him out! "
Hi, is Mr. Clive Hicks on the line?
Clive Hicks
Oh you bet your sweet ass he is. How are you doing baby?
Um, great. Thanks for asking. Clive on Friday Night you're going up against Leon Young, he's had a few choice words for you on social media and interviews. How do you respond?
Clive Hicks
Leon Young is a left leaning liberal who HATES his country. Clive didn't like his comments he issued about this fight not one bit! Worst yet it was made in the presence of a young American lady by the name of Jocelyn Edwards! As if her porcelain doll face wasn't enough for him to see that everythin' made in America is automatically better! Clive can't believe he would publicly state that America isn't the greatest country on planet earth. Pew. Disrespectful Young punk!
We have seen Leon Young at the workouts earlier today word has it he is in great shape. Do you think that your words to him may have motivated him and does that worry you at all?
Clive Hicks
Damn right Clive word's motivated him, they should motivate ALL lazy Americans in this country who refuse to pull up their boot straps and put the hard work in. Leon Young is a talented young fella but won't get off by showing up with the poor conditioning he did in his last fight. Clive wants the best for ALL Americans and it includes ungrateful liberals like Leon Young and the rest of his untitled family.
Wow, that is quite personal Clive. Strictly regarding your styles and how you match up, how do you think you will fair in this fight?
Clive Hicks
Well the resume says we both gots a amateur wrestling background. However, yur boy Clive is an ALL AMERICAN, ALL AMERICAN college Texas state champion! Meanwhile Leon's grappling background is more suitable for sports entertainment wrassling but Clive ain't dropping 60$ on any of the over priced pay per views to watch it anytime soon! Clive knows there is levels to the wrestling thing and the young Leon just doesn't cut the mustard! He will be severely outmatched, out grappled, tossed around and bullied and Clive will leave no question as to who the better wrassler and fighter is by the end of the night.
Should you dominate Leon Young like you say, what's next for Clive Hicks?
Clive Hicks
After Clive schools this Young fella Leon, it's officially #Clive 2020. While Donald Trump retains his Presidential title over Creepy Joe Biden, Clive will make the Middleweight division great again by claiming the GCC championship once and for all. Jack Nation has been a great representative but he lacks the stones to say and do what really needs to be done in these trying and changing times. That is why Fazan Khan and the rest of the GCC universe should endorse and support #Clive2020!
Well, not everyone is a supporter. Switching gears for a moment here, what do you think of your teammate Misty DeMeans quarantining herself and refusing to defend her GCC featherweight championship due to the COVID-19 outbreak?
Clive Hicks
Ohh, yur boy Clive misses his gal' Misty around the gym. Though' Clive can't say the feeling is mutual! At the end of the day, Misty is an American women and enjoys the rights afforded our fathers and grandfathers in this country fought for! Clive thinks that if Misty feels it's best to stay home in quarantine then she should have the right to do so but hidin' in the house ain't for everybody, specially not Clive! Clive ain't afraid of no Chinese virus! Most of it is FAKE news anyways. But yup, yup, her choice.
Anything you want to add before we proceed?
Clive Hicks
Clive just wants to wish his long term best bud Jackie boy a successful title defense because team HILITE FC would love nothing more than another shot at that strap. Plus, the idea of the title falling into commie hands makes Clive absolutely sick! America the FREE, America the Great! Come on everyone, sing it with your ol' bud Clive.
USA! USA! USA!
GCC 8 Conference Call Notes - Aleksandr Baranov
With the whole MMA world shocked and buzzing from a recent publicity stunt by Aleksandr Baranov mere days prior, many on the conference call—when surveyed—said they were looking forward to hearing what either fighter in the highly-anticipated Heavyweight fight. With both fighters in the title talk, more than just rabid fans eating up their hatred of one another are watching this fight closely. Other gyms such as TW Combat Sports have made it known that their attention is on this fight, leaving us to wonder if they are interested in the gym-less Ross Hanson. We can speculate on gym membership all we want, but the important question that needs to be answered for now is: Will Ross Hanson or Aleksandr Baranov walk out with bragging rights and possibly a title shot at GCC8?
As Aleksandr Baranov joined the conference call, it was noted that Ross Hanson and Aleksandr Baranov would not be allowed on-call at the same time. This whole rivalry seems to have gotten a bit out of hand. Keeping these two separate until show time seems to be the plan. I have to admit this whole thing reminds me of two caged animals waiting to tear each other apart. There was no shortage of reporters asking Aleksandr Baranov questions.
On if he feels any remorse for breaking GCC’s COVID-19 protocol to sell a fight:
On his fine for breaking GCC’s COVID-19 protocol:
After having been asking a few questions regarding the COVID-19 protocol breach, Aleksandr Baranov urged those asking questions to focus on the MMA scene and not the health protocols surrounding the fighters.
On how he’s prepared in case the fight goes to the ground:
On the GCC Heavyweight Title Picture:
On why he feels so confident he will KO Ross Hanson:
"All right...next on the line, we have Ross Hanson. Ross, you're looking good! A lot leaner and a lot meaner, since the last time we saw you!" On the other end of the line, nothing can be heard but the booming sound of "Short Music For Short People", track 48. "Ross...?" "TURN IT THE FUCK DOWN I'M ON THE PHONE!" Immediately, the music disappears. "Sorry about that...thank you! All I did was stop drinking beer and start walking to the store instead of riding the golf cart."
"What?" "Yeah. Ohio lets you do pretty much everything but get an abortion." "Moving along...we have to be honest with you...it's almost like you've been totally absent the last few months. You were kicked out of HILITE for not showing up to train, you weren't doing any press, you just vanished..."
"I got no excuse for any of that. I'm not even going to try and make one up. Maybe someday later I'll explain the appeal of being a caveman with a talking money, and how the deal fell through and I only wrestled twice in three months. Yeah, I looked like a fool."
"Will you go back to wrestling?" A second and a half of dead air precedes Ross' answer.
"Not until I've done what I came here to do in Global Combat."
"What is that?"
"Win the whole fuckin' thing."
It takes several seconds for the next question. "And that has to start with Aleksandr Baranov tomorrow night. He's made it well known that he intends to knock you out. You're a grappler by nature. Is that going to be a problem for you?"
"Well, here's what I have for you on that. I was 2-1 in EliteFC, which is now Elite Boxing. I fought Zion Momo'a in my debut, and I lost via decision, Then I ran into Reece Mitchell, the boxer who always went for the big KO. I took him down and elbowed the fuck out of him. And that guy didn't even talk shit. He came in there with respect, just like I did. So I have experience dealing with strikers. Aleks just tried to make it interesting for everyone."
"So you're confident you can control the distance and take his strikes out of the equation?" "Oh, fucking tits yes. I KNOW it will. It's worked for my family for generations, and it'll work for me in the cage with Baranov. I'm going to whip his ass like Simon Belmont. He brought my family into it. My dad. My aunt. My great uncle, even if he won't admit I'm family. Now instead of beating him for myself, I'm going to do it for all of them."
"That leads me right into my next question. Is he getting under your skin? There are already talks of the event being in jeopardy over his stunt with you a few days ago..." "My dad said it best. Everyone's being tested every time they go to an event or when they train. Anyone involved with a GCC fight is taking double precautions. I'm not going to say it was or wasn't bullshit, I don't have a hand in it. But I'm not wasting my time running someone down if I got a problem with them. Especially when we've signed a deal to fight. I'll settle this problem in the cage, and until then there's no sense in blowing up and denting the fuck out of my washer and dryer. "
"I think that about wraps it up, Mr. Hanson." "Thank you so much for giving me another shot. I won't let you down. This fight ain't going to the judges. Someone's gonna need help getting up after this one." "Thank you." Right before the call ends, we can hear Track 49 of "Short Music For Short People" blaring again.
"Hello Starshine, the Undercard says hello," came an unfamiliar voice. Throaty and heavily coated with a Mediterranean accent it fell largely on deaf ears but managed a laugh from some of the reporters.
"And who exactly from the prelims?"
"Osira...Themis," Younger sister of Atara, cousin to Ambrus, if nothing else her last name piqued some interest and garnered the bantamweight some attention.
"Themis as in Themis Palaestra? You guys are putting in some decent efforts, what can we expect from you tomorrow night and is your sister with you?"
It couldn't be seen, obviously, but Osira had rolled her eyes. Always preceded by big adelfi, this was aggravatingly common place for Osira, "No, no she isn't, I'm sure she's back in Athens or New York preparing for Kali. As for me, you can expect nothing less but the 110% our family and gym as given the GCC thus far."
"I'll even say you'll get something better. Might not have this seemingly scripted drama of these other fights, slap box matches, whatever, but you'll get the same dominance my sister showed with all the blood and savagery of a DeMeans fight."
"So, Osira, are you predicting a KO?"
"I'm predicting Mila gets retired before she properly gets started. This division is severely lacking in depth, personality, even with a tournament and emphasis, it's still ignored. Tomorrow that changes. Themis Palaestra, myself, we're taking this company by storm, I'm putting my stamp on it in the most brutal fashion I can manage. The ref better be quick because I'm not going to stop swing on this girl until she's bled and bruised dry."
"That's quite the claim Ms. Themis, we saw how Ambrus faired against a kickboxer. Has your training been adapted any different than his?"
"Just be sure not to skip the prelims, and let Mr. Khan know to stop hitting the snooze button on the Themis girls. We'll only get louder."
-click-
Trixie Redd
''Wait... why ta' fuck did that stupid bitch just hang up the phone? I was hoping to go back and forth on ta' banter.''
Trixie laughs until her laughter morphs into a depressing sigh. She clicks her tongue three times in disapproval.
Trixie Redd
''Look guys, I'm not trying to be a dick but are you really going to eat this good girl act from the palm of her hand? She's arrogant as fuck and wraps it up in some good too shoes fake ass presentation. She says she accepted this fight so that she could stay busy... stay busy!? Ta' fuck!? This shit isn't about staying in fighting shape or getting in a warm up before getting yourself into tha title picture for the THIRD time, this is going to be a WAR. You are in for ta' fight of your life against someone who is going in there with the sole intent of fucking all your shit up.
Trixe, I...
Trixie Redd
''I am still talking ta' talk. She giving me the old punchers chance? So in other words, your not talented enough to beat me anywhere else unless you land a lucky one shot bow. Bullshit. This ta' girl who thinks she can just put her head down and bulldoze over everyone like a bull in ta' china shop but it isn't going to be that easy. I am going to stuff her weak ass takedowns and beat her face in. When she realize she needs to rely on her hands to win this fight, then what?''
So what do you....
Trixie Redd
''And then on top of all this shit she wants to start talkin' about Khan? So what? She's cozy with tha' Prez and is already planning match ups in advance? Remind me not to let this bullshit go to the judges, the fix is in. Dude, fuck Rupika Khan! Fuck Misty! I am here. WE are here. Gunplay MMA is consistently being written off and disrespected and we are getting fucking sick of it, I tell ya.
If you...
Trixie Redd
''Let me finish! Yeah, I lost to Jessica House. So what? She out pointed me on the judges score cards, don't mean shit. You put me in there with Rupika, I'll finish ta' fight. You put me in there with Misty, I'll take her streak and her pointy chin. Juanita? Yeah, ta' girls got a style to her but if you stuff enough of her takedowns we all see how she breaks.
Trixie...
Trixie Redd
''Don't trixie me dude! If I didn't say ta' fucking word you all would have ignored me, wouldn't have asked me shit and let me sit here like I am just some cannon fodder to make your prized jewel, Juanita Sanchez look good. I fucked up Sophie Anderson, Juanita Sanchez fucked up Sophie Anderson. As far as I am concerned, that makes her my equal and I expect to be treated like it.
...
Trixie Redd
''Now do ANY of you have any fucking questions for me? Anyone? Man, forget this. Fuck you guys.''
Trixie mumbles under her breath and hangs up the phone.
Reporter: "Is Juanita Sanchez taking part in the conference call today?"
"Juanita: Hey (insert name). How are you doing today?"
Reporter: "I'm doing fine thank you. I noticed earlier when Fazan Khan mentioned you wanted this fight. My question is why would you want to fight an unranked opponent?"
Juanita: "That's a good question! I took this fight to stay active. I know that a win won't do me any favors and a loss will send me back to ground zero, but when you constantly crave action that's the risk you may take."
Reporter: "Are you worried that Trixie Redd has the tools to beat you?"
Juanita takes a second to answer the question.
Juanita: "Anyone can be beaten at any time. Trixie may be able to catch me with one of her excellent, powerful punches and my chin may not be able to withstand it. A slugger such as Trixie Redd will always have that puncher's chance. I'm not sleeping on her and I don't think you should either."
Reporter 2: "Juanita, your track record against strikers is very high. How confident are you in your ability to win Friday night?"
Juanita: "Thank you for asking this question (insert name)! Like I said there's always a chance of getting knocked out, but with that being said I do feel very confident in my wrestling abilities. Once I get somebody to the ground I know I can hold them there and beat them up."
Reporter 2: "I just have one more question for you Juanita. I'm not saying you are looking past Trixie Redd, but if you defeat her this Friday night, do you have another opponent in your sight? Of course other than champion Misty DeMeans."
Juanita laughs her twinkling laugh.
Juanita: "um... If I do win this fight I would like a shot at Rupika Khan. She's a fight I've been wanting for a long time, and if I win with no injury I could see her and I fighting at GCC 10. If she isn't already scheduled for a fight."
A few seconds go by.
Operator: "Are there any more questions for Juanita Sanchez?"
No response.
Juanita: "Thank you for taking the time to talk to me today. I really enjoyed it!"
And with that Juanita hangs up the phone..
Operator: Now that Mr. Khan has spoken, are there any questions for the fighters?
Reporter: I have one for Mr. Khan. How has Jack Nation prepared for his first title defense?
Khan: Feel free to ask him, my friend. He is on the line today.
Stunned silence can be heard for just a few seconds before the reporter speaks again.
Reporter: I am so sorry Mr. Nation. I wasn't aware you were on the line.
Nation: Don't apologise. It's not necessary. I have prepared for Christian Ibanez's power and technique. His takedown defense is also strong, so I trained for that.
Reporter: Do you see Christian Ibanez as a threat to your title?
Nation: Every contender poses a threat in their own way. There are no easy fights in GCC. As for Christian Ibanez specifically, the strength in his punches will always pose a threat to his opponents' consciousness.
Reporter: What have you done to make sure you can implement your wrestling before he implements his striking?
Nation: I've worked with some of the best strikers I could find in preparation for Christian Ibanez. I do feel comfortable about gaining a takedown before he can fully implement his striking.
Reporter: Do you have any predictions on the outcome of the fight?
Nation: No. I will tell you this. You should be prepared to enjoy yourselves Friday night because not only will Christian Ibanez and I put on a great fight, but the entire card from top to bottom is filled with great action.
A few moments of silence goes by.
Operator: Are there any more questions for Jack?
Nobody responds.
Operator: Jack I would like to thank you for joining us. Are there any other questions for the remaining fighters?