The following events in this thread occur on September 24th 2020 so no references or statements should be made on social media regarding this event until September 24th 2020.
On Clive Hicks winning the GCC Middleweight Championship:
''I've never seen nothing like it. I mean for Clive Hicks to come into a fight like that an underdog against an undefeated champion in Christian Ibanez - for him to end it the way he did is nothing short of amazing. He set a new record in the GCC for the fastest submission with that leg lock and it being in the main event for a title against a guy like Ibanez just makes it all the more special.''
On Misty DeMeans becoming Clive Hick's agent:
''It certainly has complicated matters. It seems like every few months Misty sticks a thorn in our side but as always, I am sure we can come to a reasonable resolution. It is true that Clive Hicks is a free agent and is in for a big contract... how big of a contract is currently up for discussion between us and his management. We always want to avoid having to vacate the title but that will be the end result if we cannot come to an agreement in the next few months.''
On Supreme MMA's closure:
''Dylan Jackson is a great guy. I mean, we weren't exactly the best of friends seeing as we were competing against each-other for new fans but I've always appreciated his hustle and hard work behind the scenes. Supreme MMA had several stars in the making that we are interested in picking up and seeing how they fair inside the GCC octagon. We have already signed the former supreme heavyweight champion Bo Constrictor and two other top heavyweights in Levi Young and Bobby Page. The ink is still wet on the Desdemona Themis deal and we're in talks with the women's bantamweight champion -ahem- my granddaughter, Sunni Khan. We are making the most of the situation and hope that we can also work with President Dylan Jackson in the near future.''
On Nika Kosov vs. Atara Themis:
''These ladies sure know how to sell a fight or so I've heard. They have had a unique take a things but one that has brought us a lot of positive attention. Two ladies with the look and star power to become the biggest draws in GCC that are just trying to build a record to match it. Asides from the slim possibility of a draw, you almost hate the idea that one of these ladies have to lose this fight because they both have so much potential.''
On the Main Event:
''The GCC featherweight champion Misty DeMeans is going to be watching this one as closely as any fans at home will be. Alexia Amauri has amassed a quiet win streak up until a huge exclamation point with the split decision victory over Gaia Galanos. Juanita Sanchez on the other hand has been perennial contender in the women's featherweight division since day one. The fan base will heavily favor Juanita Sanchez in the match up but with no crowd in the stadium that would be advantage is gone for Sanchez. Both of these women are going to have to dig as deep as they ever have to win this fight but I think both women are up for the challenge. I'd be surprised if this fight isn't fight of the Night when it's all said and done.''
This match has a lot riding on it, a loss here is a massive set back in your career. What are your plans if it doesn't go well for you?
Nika: You're correct that this match has a lot riding on it, if I lose here it'll be three losses in a row and that simply cannot happen. I haven't thought about the prospect of losing, if I thought about losing then I'd be fighting trying not to lose rather than fighting to win. I'm going to be aggressive and do my best to pick up the win and not just not lose. But I love this, I love fighting win or lose. I don't need to fight but it's a thing I just love doing! My career will remain win or lose.
Atara has taken up training with James Raven, is that a combination that you are worried about?
Nika: No? Why would I be concered about her trainer, it is Atara that I'm fighting. I don't see how he is going to offer up something new for me to overcome, ive seen her fight, I know the dangers and I think I've located all the weaknesses. He may give her confidence or even offer an different angle to come from but ultimatly nothing is different with Atty. We will get in that cage, I will offer my glove and I'm pretty certain she will respond in kind and then we will fight. I don't see her trying to take this fight to the ground, I don't see her dominating me on the feet and I don't see me walking away from this fight as a loser. I do hope that we don't do too much damage to our faces though, that would be the real tradgedy from this match!
The build up to this fight has been quite respectful and the slogan used is "Friends until the bell". Are you and Atara actually friends?
Nika: We've never actually met but she's the type of woman that I could definatly see myself getting on with, she has a sense of humour, she easy to look at and we have this MMA thing in common. I can't see a reason why we couldn't be friends. But as the slogan states, once that bell goes my friendship diminishes drastically and I'll be looking to take her out by any means neccessary.
So what is your game plan going in? How do you see yourself beating Atara Themis?
Nika: I'm going to get into her face and hit her as hard and as often as I can. I'm not going to wrestle, I'm not going to spoil any second of the fight, I'm going to strike hard and often. I feel we are evenly matched on the feet and thats where the fight is going to be the most fan friendly. Do I want a submission win? Of course but I also know that her takedown defence is great and I'd just be wasting time and energy on something that isn't going to work. Now, if she's brave enough to take me to the ground then that's different, I wont stop it from happening but she'll soon realise that just because I have no submission victories doesn't mean I won't be able to choke her our or trap one of her limbs. Like I've said and keep saying, I'm here to fight and to fight in a way that is fan pleasing. I know she is going to fight the same and I hope you are all tuned in to watch it. Thank you!
"Hey everybody! How are you all doing today?"
Juanita greets the media members through the zoom conference call.
One by one the media outlets began asking Juanita questions.
"What made you take this fight with Alexia Amauri, rather than wait for Misty DeMeans?"
"I don't know. I wanted to stay active. I didn't know how long Misty domains would be out for."
"Has anybody given you a small timetable for Misty's return?"
"Well I heard rumors, but I can't always take those seriously (Juanita chuckles shyly) I hope she'll be back by the end of this year."
"How confident are you in your ability to earn a win Friday night?"
(Juanita let's out a nervous giggle)
"I'm really confident, and I had a great camp. I hope that by using a wrestling heavy offense I can overwhelm Alexia and pick up the win."
"Is there anything you expect out of Alexia Amauri that some of us may not see coming?"
"She's a talented fighter. You should always expect the unexpected. I'll be on alert with her striking, because I know she could really hurt me if I'm not careful."
"Are you bringing anything new to the game come Friday night?"
(Juanita chuckles again)
"No I'm not. I always like to practice striking, but I know that I will always fall back on my wrestling. I really do love it."
"What have you done to nullify Alexia's power?"
"I've been working really hard on my footwork and head movement. I know she's been working hard too. I'm going to try avoiding a striking scenario, and focus heavily on grappling. She's not an easy task though. So it will be easier said than done."
"If you beat Alexia Amauri on Friday will you wait around for Misty DeMeans or look elsewhere for competition?"
"I'll wait for Misty DeMeans. I think she's been wanting to fight me for a long time, and I know I've been wanting to fight her. I'm confident she'll be ready to fight by the end of the year."
"Has Misty's taunts affected you in any way?"
"No, I think she's funny sometimes. I laugh when she calls me Juwannabe."
The reporters begin to wish her good luck, and with a nice parting statement Juanita disconnects from the zoom conference call.
Via Zoom: Atara Themis & James Raven
On speculation of being dismissed by Themis Palaestra due to comments made by Ambrus Themis a few weeks prior and the hiring of James Raven for this fight.
Atara: No, absolutely not. My absence in Athens for this fight is solely due to previous commitments made before the booking of this bout with Nika. It has nothing to so with my last fight and definately has nothing to do with some great concern of Kosov's game. Logistics weren't feasible for me to have a good camp. I've known James for sometime, worked alongside him at XWF and now GCWA.
My family are well acquainted with Raven and understood the situation so no harm no foul there. He and I happened to be at the same spot at the same time, he's had great success with other fighters and in his own career so it was pretty clear I needed to ask the favor of him.
I couldn't be happier with how it turned out and will admit I would like for him to jump the pond and stay in Hellas for awhile.
On the progress and seeming hostility between Global Ultimate Fighter contestants Vitalis and Pagonis.
Atara: In regards to Vitalis, I'm learning about him along with you guys. So far I am impressed and I am sure if he doesn't win the contract he'll have a spot on our pro team when he gets back.
Arius. Well, Arius is just being Arius. He's an enforcer. His win was no surprise and until he's gone it doesn't matter who's coaching the other team..
Hopefully they can start seeing eye to eye.
On the talk that being knocked out has humbled her and gave way to the attitude shift towards her fight Kosov.
Atara: Really? Everybody acts like it was a walk off and she was winning that fight. I dominated Jade two rounds and she started swinging desperate. It took a couple shots to get the job done too but that's neither here or there. Nika does everything professional. She's nothing but kind and we didn't have to resort to underhanded tactics to get people interested.
Most of all, she's prevalent to the fans where those first two hid under a rock until Kahn came round with a prod. Marketability people. I have it. She has it.
Humble me...pfft
On the closing of Supreme MMA and the influx of fighters including her sister Desdemona. The possibility and how soon the possibility of a Themis vs Themis could happen.
Atara: I hate to see it go, any place that showcases talent like they had...its always sad to see those promotions go.
Desi...if can the GCC puts the contract in front of us we won't say no. I mean, we've trained and sparred the entirety of lives together. Fought over the dumbest stuff growing up. To do it for money and recognition...
How soon. I don't know. I'm aiming for Misty or whoever had the belt when I get my shot.
On Nika and the gameplan going into this fight.
Raven: Um, hello. I skipped something slightly more important specifically to me to be here.
Hi, I'm James Raven. The People's GOAT and object of your wives erotic novel fantasy. I'll take this one.
Over the past few years I’ve had the good fortune to work with some of the biggest stars in MMA. I’ve coached some of the top grapplers and most talented strikers I’ve seen, and I’ve led most of them to World championships… but one camp into working with Atara, and she’s different from all the rest of them. There’s a passion and tenacity that most people don’t have. She refuses to quit, and she will drill a new technique until it’s as sharp as folded steel and she will battle in bad positions until she blacks out from exhaustion. One of the biggest challenges for me is backing her off at the right times, and protecting her from herself.
Her striking was already impressive, but we tried to fine tune some of her footwork and head movement. She can crack, but we need to make sure she doesn’t leave herself in a position to GET cracked as a result. It’s a fine line, I don’t want to change what’s worked for her thus far because her family has done a great job, but I believe there are tweaks that can take her stand up game from very good to elite.
The major focus for me was trying to help her be more aggressive, and effective, from 50/50 positions and spots that would be considered ‘defensive’. We’ve worked a lot from her guard; how to use her hips to create scrambles, how to throw elbows from the bottom and how many submissions she’s actually capable of from the bottom with her level of flexibility… I believe Atara is miles ahead of Kosov on the ground, and she doesn’t need to be in mount or side control to finish this fight. Every second that they grapple in any capacity is going to be a second where Atara is looking to tear a limb off or beat Kosov into a coma.
At the end of the day, if Atty wants to KO Nikka she will. If she wants to take her down and ground and pound her through the mat, she will. Is she wants to Imanari roll and heel hook Kosov in a blink of an eye? You get the picture… Atara Themis, your winner via whatever the hell she wants, whenever the hell she wants.
Alright Atty, we are done here. Let's get a taco
-- Special Thanks to James Raven for playing along and giving me this awesome tidbit