The following events in this thread occur on February 11th, 2021 so no references or statements should be made on social media regarding this event until February 11th, 2021, 2021.
On Ross Hanson being stripped of the GCC Heavyweight title:
“Ross is a hard worker in the octagon when he has no distractions. Look, he won the Heavyweight title! The kid is a natural fighter, but he had a family emergency. And, I refuse to divulge someone’s family business. Hopefully, one day Ross will fight again. Until then, let him see to his own in peace.”
On the GCC Heavyweight title now being on the line at GFN 17:
“This is just extra motivation to beat Alejandro’s ass. I did not need this, but I will take it. Alejandro and I are two of the most elite fighters in all of GCC so it makes sense to find out who the Baddest Man on the Planet at the main event of Global Fight Night 17. The fight fans are in for a bigger treat than ever.”
On all of the talk up to this point between himself and Alejandro Rivera:
“Alejandro likes to talk. Aleksandr Baranov likes to talk. Each of us can make some very biting remarks to our opponents. I am all about promoting my fight. I want the fans to either want to see me prevail or get knock the fuck out! It is simple economics. Against Ross, I am not afraid to be the first to admit, if they wanted to see me get knock the fuck out against him, well, I guess they got what they wanted. If they want to see me prevail against Alé, they are going to get what they want.”
On TundraMMA’s condition:
“We came roaring out of the gates. Think about it, we are not doing any worse than any other gym out there. It is the beginning of a new season. We were one of the best if not THE best last season. I do not care what those rankings say. We will be back at the top soon. It did not take us very long to make our initial rise.”
On his prediction for how tonight’s Main Event will play out:
“Alejandro will come prepared, but I am going to put him down for good. This will be a clash of titans, and in the 3rd, I will knock him out.”
On fighting Aleksandr Baranov, and not Ross Hanson for the heavyweight championship.
Chico there's no secret that I wanted to fight hijo again. I beat him up for over 20 minutes, but I couldn't make him quit. He had all the heart in the world, and I found a little respect for him, but still I handed him that arm bar, and it bothers me, but it is what it is and I get to beat up his loud mouth friend. I will enjoy every minute of that.
The idea of a feud between himself and Tundra MMA.
I don't care about those guys. Hijo wanted a shot at my title, so I decided to entertain myself. I did the same thing with 'The New Perfection'. I don't focus on a specific gym. I know I'm one of the best heavyweights in the world, so whoever wants to come and fight me, they can and I will treat all the pieces of garbage the same way.
On the mind games he's played with Aleksandr Baranov.
He is too easy not to fuck with. He started out bragging about his teammates accomplishments, which made me laugh. I would just say random things to him on twitter, just to see something stupid come from him, and he never let me down.
His feelings about Aleksandr on a personal level.
I don't have a problem with the guy, just like I did not dislike hijo or Jay Ageuro. He's just there for entertainment, and then I make a heavy bag out of him. There's no personal feelings involved.
On his training camp.
It went pretty good. I work with some of the best strikers in the world, and some masters of the clinch. I always show up in top shape, ready to take away people's dreams.
Will a title win be tainted because of the circumstances.
I wish I could have fought hijo, and got my title back through him, but it was just a matter of time anyway, and tomorrow night I'm going to get my title back, and people will forget all about hijo.
Q: Mark, you were submitted in your last fight, did that have anything to do with you signing on to fight a striker so quickly?
"No, I said after my fight that I would fight anyone, Johnny Farmer's named was the first one the GCC presented to me, and I signed right away. I just want to get back in the cage and get my first win under my belt. Also, I don't think that question accounts for the strength of Farmer's wrestling, which is definately something I've been training to deal with."
Q: Johnny Farmer's record isn't great at 1-3, any truth to the thought you signed to fight him as an easy win?
"I think you guys are really underselling Farmer. I'm confident in my ability to beat him, but you guys aren't giving enough credit to his skill and danger he presents as a fighter, both with his striking and grappling."
Q: As you enter your second fight, do you feel pressure to win?
"There is always pressure to win, and as you continue to lose the chances of you keeping your job is lower and lower, so obviously I feel the pressure, but at the same time, the confidence I have in my ability, and the gameplan me and my camp have come up with, probably means I won't be losing for long."
Q: Speaking of your camp, is Misty DeMeans really retiring?
"I know that she says she is. She's a great fighter, and I personally hope to see her in a cage again, but she's earned her right to retire if she wants, and if that gives her more time to help make me and my teammates better, I'm not going to complain."
Q: Any last words for Johnny Farmer?
"I got way too caught up in believing my own hype before my last fight, so I'll just say this. Johnny, I expect this to be a great fight, so bring your A-game to the cage, and may the best man win."
"Hello" Svetlana Oblonsky says cheerfully, has her and Anastasia smile into the camera. "We apologize for the lack of a social media presence. It's been a rough couple of training camps, but Anastasia feels comfortable in Abu Dhabi, training with such girls as Alexia Amauri, Rupika Khan, and the wonderful training staff which HoK provides.
One reporter speaks up.
"Anastasia and Sunni Khan are both highly touted prospects in the bantamweight division, do you feel as if Fazan Khan will show preferential treatment to his granddaughter by pushing her up the ladder over Anastasia?"
Anastasia looks towards Svetlana, with a confused look on her face, but Svetlana answers the question.
"No. There is not preferential treatment in HoK. They all work hard, and they earn everything."
Anastasia and Svetlana have a whispered conversation, while the next reporter asks their question.
"Do you find the training partners at House of Khan benefit you more than your old training partners at Kosov Kourt?"
"Anastasia finds rewards with both camps, but she does feel that House of Khan will better benefit her career."
"Do you feel with a few more wins, Anastasia could be fighting for the bantamweight title?"
"Possibly. We are confident, but we also know that trajectories can change in a split second…
What I am trying to say is we do not look past next opponents, but we do feel Anastasia's future is bright, and that her fight Friday night against Akira Young will answer a lot of questions."
There are no more questions from the reporters.
"Thank you." Anastasia says aa both women smile to the camera, and the scene fades to Black.
Tyler. This Friday night you will be facing Daniel Dream in the co main event. The two of you were teammates at Tundra MMA. Will this fact have any effect on you come Fight Night?
No ma'am. Daniel's a nice fella, and he and I got along good, but I won't let that be on my mind. I just want to fight, and move up the division, and hopefully someday get a rematch with Tim McCarthy who is the champion.
Earlier this week on Twitter heavyweight title challenger, Aleksandr Baranov, said that you were out-wrestled by Gaia Galanos in practice. Is there any truth to this?
No sir. I never did train with her. My main training partner was my friend Ross Hanson. I don't know why he said that, and I won't ask him why. He was always saying goofy stuff.
Tyler. You had called for the winner of Leon Young and Daniel Dream. What was the reasoning behind that callout?
Well ma'am they're both tough fighters, and they're both ranked higher than I am. All I want is the best fights I can get, and at that time the winner of Daniel and Leon was the best for me.
What would be in your future if you defeat Daniel Dream?
Well I think he's number five in the world right now. So that would put me in line for a top ranked fighter, but I don't want to look ahead. I'll look at that stuff after my fight is over.
…
Well I want to thank everybody for the questions, and I hope everybody enjoys the show tomorrow night. God bless.
On Ross Hanson being stripped of the GCC Heavyweight title:
On the GCC Heavyweight title now being on the line at GFN 17:
On all of the talk up to this point between himself and Alejandro Rivera:
On TundraMMA’s condition:
On his prediction for how tonight’s Main Event will play out:
On fighting Aleksandr Baranov, and not Ross Hanson for the heavyweight championship.
Chico there's no secret that I wanted to fight hijo again. I beat him up for over 20 minutes, but I couldn't make him quit. He had all the heart in the world, and I found a little respect for him, but still I handed him that arm bar, and it bothers me, but it is what it is and I get to beat up his loud mouth friend. I will enjoy every minute of that.
The idea of a feud between himself and Tundra MMA.
I don't care about those guys. Hijo wanted a shot at my title, so I decided to entertain myself. I did the same thing with 'The New Perfection'. I don't focus on a specific gym. I know I'm one of the best heavyweights in the world, so whoever wants to come and fight me, they can and I will treat all the pieces of garbage the same way.
On the mind games he's played with Aleksandr Baranov.
He is too easy not to fuck with. He started out bragging about his teammates accomplishments, which made me laugh. I would just say random things to him on twitter, just to see something stupid come from him, and he never let me down.
His feelings about Aleksandr on a personal level.
I don't have a problem with the guy, just like I did not dislike hijo or Jay Ageuro. He's just there for entertainment, and then I make a heavy bag out of him. There's no personal feelings involved.
On his training camp.
It went pretty good. I work with some of the best strikers in the world, and some masters of the clinch. I always show up in top shape, ready to take away people's dreams.
Will a title win be tainted because of the circumstances.
I wish I could have fought hijo, and got my title back through him, but it was just a matter of time anyway, and tomorrow night I'm going to get my title back, and people will forget all about hijo.
Q: Mark, you were submitted in your last fight, did that have anything to do with you signing on to fight a striker so quickly?
"No, I said after my fight that I would fight anyone, Johnny Farmer's named was the first one the GCC presented to me, and I signed right away. I just want to get back in the cage and get my first win under my belt. Also, I don't think that question accounts for the strength of Farmer's wrestling, which is definately something I've been training to deal with."
Q: Johnny Farmer's record isn't great at 1-3, any truth to the thought you signed to fight him as an easy win?
"I think you guys are really underselling Farmer. I'm confident in my ability to beat him, but you guys aren't giving enough credit to his skill and danger he presents as a fighter, both with his striking and grappling."
Q: As you enter your second fight, do you feel pressure to win?
"There is always pressure to win, and as you continue to lose the chances of you keeping your job is lower and lower, so obviously I feel the pressure, but at the same time, the confidence I have in my ability, and the gameplan me and my camp have come up with, probably means I won't be losing for long."
Q: Speaking of your camp, is Misty DeMeans really retiring?
"I know that she says she is. She's a great fighter, and I personally hope to see her in a cage again, but she's earned her right to retire if she wants, and if that gives her more time to help make me and my teammates better, I'm not going to complain."
Q: Any last words for Johnny Farmer?
"I got way too caught up in believing my own hype before my last fight, so I'll just say this. Johnny, I expect this to be a great fight, so bring your A-game to the cage, and may the best man win."
"Hello" Svetlana Oblonsky says cheerfully, has her and Anastasia smile into the camera. "We apologize for the lack of a social media presence. It's been a rough couple of training camps, but Anastasia feels comfortable in Abu Dhabi, training with such girls as Alexia Amauri, Rupika Khan, and the wonderful training staff which HoK provides.
One reporter speaks up.
"Anastasia and Sunni Khan are both highly touted prospects in the bantamweight division, do you feel as if Fazan Khan will show preferential treatment to his granddaughter by pushing her up the ladder over Anastasia?"
Anastasia looks towards Svetlana, with a confused look on her face, but Svetlana answers the question.
"No. There is not preferential treatment in HoK. They all work hard, and they earn everything."
Anastasia and Svetlana have a whispered conversation, while the next reporter asks their question.
"Do you find the training partners at House of Khan benefit you more than your old training partners at Kosov Kourt?"
"Anastasia finds rewards with both camps, but she does feel that House of Khan will better benefit her career."
"Do you feel with a few more wins, Anastasia could be fighting for the bantamweight title?"
"Possibly. We are confident, but we also know that trajectories can change in a split second…
What I am trying to say is we do not look past next opponents, but we do feel Anastasia's future is bright, and that her fight Friday night against Akira Young will answer a lot of questions."
There are no more questions from the reporters.
"Thank you." Anastasia says aa both women smile to the camera, and the scene fades to Black.
"
Tyler. This Friday night you will be facing Daniel Dream in the co main event. The two of you were teammates at Tundra MMA. Will this fact have any effect on you come Fight Night?
No ma'am. Daniel's a nice fella, and he and I got along good, but I won't let that be on my mind. I just want to fight, and move up the division, and hopefully someday get a rematch with Tim McCarthy who is the champion.
Earlier this week on Twitter heavyweight title challenger, Aleksandr Baranov, said that you were out-wrestled by Gaia Galanos in practice. Is there any truth to this?
No sir. I never did train with her. My main training partner was my friend Ross Hanson. I don't know why he said that, and I won't ask him why. He was always saying goofy stuff.
Tyler. You had called for the winner of Leon Young and Daniel Dream. What was the reasoning behind that callout?
Well ma'am they're both tough fighters, and they're both ranked higher than I am. All I want is the best fights I can get, and at that time the winner of Daniel and Leon was the best for me.
What would be in your future if you defeat Daniel Dream?
Well I think he's number five in the world right now. So that would put me in line for a top ranked fighter, but I don't want to look ahead. I'll look at that stuff after my fight is over.
…
Well I want to thank everybody for the questions, and I hope everybody enjoys the show tomorrow night. God bless.