The following events in this thread occur on January 07, 2021 so no references or statements should be made on social media regarding this event until January 07, 2021.
On the biggest show of the year
It was a huge show for us and an amazing experience for the fighters and especially the fans. GCC 15 had several huge upsets and new champions crowned, we also witnessed some crazy finishes and the fight of the year all on one card! While the show ranked #2 in terms of new subscribers the show broke all other records including live attendance and live gates which is huge for us as a company coming off the worst curve of the pandemic. Honestly, it was just breathtaking to have a live audience again. Our previous shows had a sense of intensity to it with no crowd but nothing compares to a live crowd of hardcore MMA fans coming out to cheer on their favorite fighters.
On recent retirements and rumors
This was definitely Tommy Wards last fight. I mean, I cant predict the future but it is something that he has brought up to me personally on several occasions before his official announcement was made so I know for a fact it wasn't a knee jerk reaction after a tough loss. I support Tommy Ward and his decision to retire, I think he had a great career that he can be proud of and I am sure he will continue his coaching and being a vocal leader at TW Combat Sports. As for Misty DeMeans, I was made aware of her retirement claim made on twitter but we have had no formal discussion on the topic and as of now she has yet to vacate the GCC Women's Featherweight Championship. That is not to say she isn't serious about her claim but she is still very young despite her record setting accomplishments and I think there is way more money for her to make. I am sure I will sit down and speak with Misty DeMeans in the next few weeks to see where her head is really at and we will go from there.
On the super heavyweight division
It is something we are seriously considering at the moment. Right now, we have dozens of scouts assigned to different countries across the globe to scout top prospects in other smaller promotions to try to get a lay of the land to see if there is enough talent to really launch a competitive super heavyweight division. As you are all aware, Heavyweight is a far more accessible weight class and we haven't really seen super heavyweights compete at the highest levels over the past couple of decades. If we find out the talent just isn't there, we will scrap the plans for the division and cut our losses.
On Lone Wolf MMA winning gym of the Year
Very well deserved, I have always known that Krystal Knight has run a very tight ship there at Lone Wolf MMA. They are one of the more smaller gyms with less representation across the five divisions but what most of them have been able to accomplish out of that gym is nothing short of amazing. Awut Somaskul and Alejandro Rivera are former champions. Tim McCarthy and Sanit Klahan finished off the year by becoming champions. Sanoh Ngam-Chit and Jade Young are the only fighters that have yet to really find their barrings in a GCC cage consistently. And finally, Krystal Knight. She has yet to taste championship gold but shes helped set the foundation of the women's featherweight division since day one and I am looking forward to seeing how she fairs against Mia Stevens tomorrow night. All in all, they have a solid group of guys and girls and I look forward to seeing what they can do as a unit in 2021.
On Sammie Ward vs. Leah Wilkins
This is a fight that everyone involved wanted. Sammie Ward notably is coming off an unsuccessful title defense against Ariel Shadows who also has a win over Leah Wilkins. Even with their common opponent being Ariel, there isn't a whole lot you can draw from either of those fights as Ariel Shadows worked them both over in a similar fashion to score the unanimous nod from the judges. What we do know about both Sammie and Leah is that they both can take a hard shot and both have shown that they have a lot of a heart and I think that will reflect on them strongly during this bout. On paper, they are pretty even though Sammie Ward has championship experience and a world class camp to rely on in preparation for the fight. I know that that was a bit of a story line leading into the fight but I think Leah Wilkins feels that she has already gotten this far with her current methods and that if it isn't broken, why fix it? All I know is both of these women are stepping into the cage with a chip on their shoulder and I cant wait to see which of these young ladies come out on top.
SHERTARD MEDIA GUY
Feloni, you have loss three of your first three fights in the GCC. How do you feel heading into this fight with Dame Raven Williams and how much pressure do you feel to win this fight to avoid dropping to a GCC worst, 0-4?
Feloni DeMeans
Nah bruh, I ain't worried at all. Cause' as long as lil' sis keeps winning all her fights and collecting those big checks imma be just fine. Don't sit up here and act like you ain't tuning in on the account of the last name. DeMeans equals clicks. President Khan would be a fucking idiot to cut me from the roster over losing a couple of fights. It's no big deal. Ya'll favorite fighters lose fights all the time and ya'll don't call for them to lose their spot or question their place in the cage so just keep that same energy.
NEGATIVE NANCY
Do you take any responsibility for your previous losses at all?
Feloni DeMeans
It's not my fault. I got injured in my fight with Sammie Ward plus that girl turned out to be on some championship shit. Ya'll know for a fact I got robbed against Kiiara. Osira is fighting for the bantamweight strap next month. Ya'll can't hold any of those losses against me, real talk. It's just bad luck it ain't nothing to lose ya'll heads about imma be the best fighter in this division by the years end. Don't even trip.
MR ANAL LITTICS
Seriously though, Feloni... you're 0-3. You have one of the worst records in GCC history.
Feloni DeMeans
Winning, losing... it's all paying me the same. This fighting shit is a gig for me. It ain't easy to find a legit job after doing a serious bid and it ain't like I am trying to hit up lil' sis for some handouts either. I mean don't get shit twisted, I ain't trying to go in the cage and take an ass whooping for no reason but my goal is to get out of the cage alive and well enough to do it again as soon as whatever. That's what you call another payday.
FAKE NEWS GUY
Feloni, I can't help but point out that your demeanor has changed since your previous appearances. How bad is it eating you up that you have yet to accomplish one-tenth of the success your sister Misty DeMeans has?
Feloni DeMeans
Nah, it's just me coming too terms with the facts. I ain't ever going to be an undefeated world beater champion like Misty. That shipped sailed after I loss my first fight. I also ain't trying to be stuck in my little sisters shadow for the rest of my life either so ya'll really should cut the comparisons from now. Imma leave that try hard legacy shit to her and imma focus on making me some good money and chilling the fuck out. Misty works harder than anyone I have ever seen in this gym, I ain't about that life. It ain't that serious to me. I'm good.
DEEP VOICE GUY
Dame Raven Williams is not exactly a bounce back fight for you here, how do you feel about her as an opponent and what is your game plan against her?
Feloni DeMeans
You stupid cuh. This Dame Williams Raven bitch ain't gonna do jacksshit tomorrow night, Imma pickup that dub no sweat. Ya'll out here talking about game plans. Game plans? Bruh, I am going to get into the cage and kick her upside her head until she decides she wants to roll and when she wants to roll, imma submit her ass. Game plans. Ya'll really too deep into this shit it's really hilarious.
...
Feloni DeMeans
Ya'll done here or what? Shit... so am I then. Bet.
Sammie, as the former women's bantamweight champion, what do you feel about the fight between Osira Themis and Ariel Shadows that was announced Wednesday night?
I knew Osira Themis was next in line for a title shot. She's worked hard and has won I believe three straight. It's going to be a good fight, and you know I'll definitely be tuning in.
After his loss at GCC 15 your brother Tommy Ward laid down his gloves and officially retired. Fazan Khan said he felt it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction to his loss, is there any truth to this?
Yes. Tommy was planning on retiring after GCC 15, whether he had won or lost. There were only a few people, outside of our family and our gym family who knew.
Why the retirement when he is in his prime?
Tommy has competed for a very long time. I can remember being three or four years old and cheering him on at tournaments. All of that time and all those years really take a toll on your body. The last few fights Tommy said he'd rather coach than fight anymore, but his love competition kept pushing him, until his body wasn't doing what he wanted it to.
He's always been a great coach, and he's so happy right now doing what he loves, he's one of our Jiu-Jitsu coaches now, and he loves it.
How do you feel Leah Wilkins will most threaten you in the fight?
She's an amazing striker, a great all-around fighter actually. I've got to be very careful, but I'm confident that I can pull out a win.
Are you going to ask for a rematch with the winner at GCC 16, if you do win on Friday night?
No. If the matchmakers and Khan decide that is the right move, then I won't say no, but if not there are several others in the top 10 I would love to fight.
Shawn Cotton <Social Media Analyst> Hi, Krystal. After a huge show at GCC 15 and the amount of success your team had you have been awfully quiet on social media. Any particular reason why?
Krystal Knight: Yeah, I had my own fight coming up to prepare for! Mia Stevens is no joke! I'm not a party pooper or anything me and rest of the team celebrated Sanit and Tim's huge wins respectively but logging into twitter to brag about it wasn't exactly a priority of mine - heck, it even slipped my mind until you brought it up! Alejandro is always hounding me about being more active on twitter and whatnot so I'll do my best to make it more of a thing in the future. Nonetheless, I am extremely proud of both of them and I know they will make amazing GCC champions and represent our sport well.
Shawn Cotton <Social Media Analyst> On the flip side your teammate Alejandro Rivera has been vocal on social media as of late and have called out TW combat fighters as well as directing his criticisms to Aleksandr Baranov specifically. How do you feel about this?
Krystal Knight: Hey, Alejandro is a grown ass man. He know's exactly how I feel about how he chooses to carry himself and promote his fights. I don't condone it but I am his head coach not his mother. Until the GCC stops awarding the likes of Misty DeMeans and Clive Hicks for their bravado, I can't expect anyone at Lone Wolf MMA to follow my morale code to a tee. Who am I to stop him or any fighter from securing their future for themselves and their families? I will always speak up and share my opinions with Alejandro and give him advice in times where he may feel he needs it but until then any further questions should probably be directed to him or his twitter handle.
Daniel Berglund <MMA blogger> First off let me start by saying, congratulations. At the Year end of the awards you along with Lone Wolf MMA has won Gym of the Year. How does it feel to be the leader of such a successful gym?
Krystal Knight: You're so sweet! All the glory should go to the guys and girls at Lone Wolf MMA! And not just the stars you see in a GCC cage either, the majority of our team is made up by young adults and teenagers just looking for a place they can call home, a place to be off the streets and doing something productive with their time. They are the true inspiration behind Lone Wolf MMA. The championships, spotlight and year end awards are great and we're truly honored to receive them but that's a small part of what gets me out of the bed in the morning. It was never a goal of ours, certainly never an expectation but it's very cool and such an amazing thing for MMA in Thailand. Thank you guys.
John Bergandy <Sports Writer> Hi, Ms. Knight. Tomorrow night you will be stepping in the cage with Mia Stevens. How do you feel about her as an opponent and how do you feel you match up with her?
Krystal Knight: I think Mia Stevens is one of the better strikers in the Featherweight division. I think it isn't a secret that Mia Steven's has serious cardio issues so the fact that she has been able to push through and overcome that weakness as often as she has is a testament to how naturally gifted she is and how much of a threat she is at all times with or without a full training camp. That said, I have dedicated over a decade to my craft as a mixed martial artist and I believe I have a more well rounded MMA game than she does because I love MMA more than she does. My game plan for this fight is going to throw her off her game a bit and I think the fans are going to be surprised to see what kind of old tricks I have stashed away in my bag so to speak. If I can close the distance on Mia Stevens, I should be able to drag her into unfamiliar territory and drown her out over the span of three rounds.
Nina Anopov <Reporter> Krystal at GCC 15, Misty DeMeans became the first women and GCC fighter to defend the title successfully more than once by beating Juanita Sanchez in under a minute and setting the record for the fastest title fight in GCC history. As a vocal advocate for women's mixed martial arts, how do you feel about her record setting achievements?
Krystal Knight: I can't knock Misty, I wish that I could find it within myself to be the fighter she is right now because she's absolutely killing it. I have been very open with my intentions to win the GCC featherweight championship before the day I retire but I would be lying if I didn't take a look at the competition in this division and second guess myself and my place within it. I don't know if Misty DeMeans is actually retiring or not, I don't think she should and has so much more to give the sport of MMA but at the same time, I still think I have something to offer. Maybe I come up short in the long run but for now, I am still in the race. I want to show girls that there isn't just one way to be. Yeah, you can have all the success in the world following in the footsteps of Misty but you don't have too. That you do have a choice and it's a viable one! I don't subscribe to the idea that her antics hurt the sport because women's MMA is bigger than her. It's bigger than me. All of us. It is only through a collective effort that it continues to grow and move forward, I am proud of where we stand today.
Jack Braxton <Radio Host> You and Mia Stevens have a few similarities, what do you think sets you and her apart the most heading into this fight?
Krystal Knight: I train for every fight as if it's my last. In this sport, you never truly know. I think we all are desensitized to it in away but man this is such a crazy and violent sport. We're so used to seeing knockouts, watching our friends and loved one's get knocked either that or we're knocking some else out or getting knocked out ourselves. I guess my point is that we are playing a very dangerous game every time we step into the cage and we should never take it for granted. With all do respect, I don't feel that Mia Stevens has shown to anyone that she understands that. In my opinion, she's had it far too easy. She's gotten away with a little too much off of putting in a little too little. At some point she needs to take a hard knock across the head and realize that if she isn't all in on this sport that one day this sport is going to remind her that it's not all in on her. And when it does, I am pretty sure it isn't going to be pretty. As for the when? Well, we have a date tomorrow in the co main event and I intend to offer her some honest & harsh but extremely constructive criticism.
Jack Braxton <Radio Host> Thank you for your time, Krystal.