The following events in this thread occur on March 11th, 2021 so no references or statements should be made on social media regarding this event until March 11th, 2021.
On Fabiano Bonucci becoming the GCC lightweight champion
''The kid is simply amazing, he was in a very tough fight against Sanit Klahan and was hurt very early but really kept his wits about him and turned the fight around in a big way. I really think both of those guys respect each-other even more now after that war and I just got the feeling that it wouldn't be the last time we see them face off in the cage. We have heard that Fabiano Bonucci had quite an after party celebration after the fact and haven't been in touch with him since but we aren't in any particular rush - it will be a few months before he see's his first title defense as we have a handful of potential challengers in the division to sort out.''
Khan announcing Canadian tour
''As we wrap up our Scandinavian tour at GCC 18 we are very excited about our North American tour, it's a huge deal for us. Canadian MMA is growing and there's a huge MMA fan base to introduce our product too. We have seen the rise of Tim McCarthy recently and have signed notable prospects in Mark Addison and Colin Downes and of course, HILITE FC is one of the most successful MMA gyms world wide and a national treasure in Canada. The tour will consist of eight shows spread across GFN 19 and GCC 21. We are proud to confirm we have secured venues and dates for Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.''
On MMA rumors
''Yes, I've heard rumors of a large MMA company on the verge of closing their doors. If those rumors are true then it's sad to hear it. I think competition keeps the entire industry honest and I can only hope that if they aren't around that another worthy organization rises from it's ashes. Regardless, if it is true today or tomorrow whenever that day comes we will still be here. For any of the fighters who may be impacted by these rumors let me go on the record having stated that the GCC is looking to sign the best fighters on the market irregardless of former or existing corporate affiliations and will provide legal representation to any parties interested in doing what's best for their MMA careers.''
On the return of Rob Jones
''The kid is extremely hungry right now - especially coming off his title loss against Sanit Klahan. Rob Jones is one of those kids who has a big ego about him and has a mindset that has him immediately at the drawing board wanting to get that one back. He's been wanting this rematch with Awut Somaskul even when he became the lightweight champion - rooting for Awut to make his way back into the title picture so he could get that fight with him again. Unfortunately for Rob, he's getting the rematch under very different circumstances. Still, he's motivated like hell and it helps that Awut trains with the same man who took his lightweight title from him. Lone Wolf MMA on the other hand is extremely confident that they have the blue print to beat Rob Jones for the third time.''
On the main event
''Jessica House and Gaia Galanos are two of the most seasoned fighters in the Women's Featherweight division. We have watched them both enjoy success and face adversity and both of them showed that they are capable of coming back strong after tough losses. They share only one mutual opponent in the current women's featherweight champion Misty DeMeans who was able to best both women on those occasions. The main difference between these two is that Gaia Galanos has had championship experience and has gone the distance in multiple five round fights. Jessica House fully intends to finish the fight well before the final bell but will have her hands full against Gaia Galanos. I couldn't possibly predict a fight like this when consider how often Jessica House has risen to the occasion with odds stacked against her in contrast to the consistency and evolution Gaia Galanos has shown as a mixed martial artist. I am proud of both of these women and I wish them the best of luck!''
On losing the lightweight championship at GCC 15
Hey it is what it is. I went into the fight feeling overconfident. I said I was going to charge forward, and I was going to make this guy wilt. He showed that he had balls, and he got me into a dog fight. He got me with a good kick to the head and that was that.
Now all I can do is come back, climb the mountain again, and take back my title, this time from Bonucci, but I won't be forgetting about Klahan. He and I will run into each other again one day.
This time I'll treat him with respect, and not expect him to wilt under pressure, but beat him up the same way I did all those guys before.
On Fabiano Bonucci capturing the lightweight championship
I was rooting for Sanit Klahan to win the fight, but Fabiano Bonucci looks unstoppable right now. Don't let that give you a big head son. Sergiy Revenko was also on a tear, and then I beat his ass and look at him now. So you continue doing what you're doing Gucci, and I'll go on doing what I'm doing. I just hope that when I eventually beat you up, you can come back from it unlike Revenko.
On the rumors of Union Grand Prix shutting their doors
I don't know so much about that. They had a pretty good show at the beginning of this month, and I feel that Dante Reed won't give up that easily, but if Union does close its doors I have a message for Delaney Donavon…
My brother you know I respect you but I've been wanting to have a fight with you ever since my days in Union Grand Prix. If indeed Union does close its doors, I'd like to set up that fight with you here in GCC. I think we'd steal the show, and if I beat you it would bring validation that I would have been the best in Union Grand Prix, so I'm laying it on the line for you right now Chief.
On recent additions to TW Combat Sports
Are you talking about Eion O'Rourke, his brother and Elizabeth Devereaux? The brothers are very talented fighters, and I haven't trained around Elizabeth too much, but from what I hear she's a beast too. You already saw what big fella can do in the cage, tomorrow night you'll see the rest.
On his rematch with Awut Somaskul
This is something I've wanted for a long time. That dog hump my leg last time for five rounds, this time I'm going to piece him up for five rounds. Lone Wolf MMA says they have the blueprint to beating the war machine. I said they're full of shit, and I'll prove it tomorrow when I beat Somaskul and I'll prove it down the road when Sanit Klahan and I dance again.
On the respect shown between Jessica and herself:
On House bringing Galanos’ past against Strikers into question:
On riding a 3-fight win-streak into this fight:
On her 5-round experience headed into the fight:
On Misty DeMeans claiming to have retired from fighting:
On her camp headed up to GFN18 and any further comments:
Colin Downes Zoom Conference Call
Q: Colin, can you move back from the screen a bit? All we can see is your chest.
Colin Downes
Oh. (Moves his chair back a bit from the screen, allowing more of his massive frame to be shown, and for everyone to see his scowling face) Sorry, is that better? Never could get along with these damn machines.
Q: It's fine. Anyway Colin, you could have wrestled for Canada at the Olympics, what made you decide to turn pro instead?
Colin Downes
Well the plan was to wrestle for Canada in 2020, and then make the move and go pro. Would have been nice to win gold, and then have more hype coming into my debut, plus 130 kilograms would have been an intermediate weight cut that might have made getting down to 265 lbs a little easier. But, when the pandemic pushed the Olympics back a year, it became a matter of if I wanted to push my pro debut back another year, and I wanted to start making money, so here I am.
Q: There was a lot of questions about whether or not you'd be able to cut to 265, how was that process?
Colin Downes
Hey, I work hard for my money, and I wasn't gonna let down my sponsors, the fans, and Mr. Kahn by not making weight. I've been cloistered with the nutrionist quite a lot, and man do I miss Big Macs, but I'm on point, don't you worry about it.
Q: Ronan is an amazing striker, what is your gameplan for this fight, and how will you deal with his power.
Colin Downes
Well his striking won't be much use off his back will it. I'm a wrestler, so yeah, I plan to do that. I've been working hard with my team at HILITE FC to improve other areas of my game, but I'd be crazy not to utilize my natural size and abilities in this fight.
Q: Are you feeling any jitters going into your pro debut?
Nope. Alright, on that note I'm out. Thanks for coming. (Turns off Zoom)