The following events in this thread occur on April 8th, 2021 so no references or statements should be made on social media regarding this event until April 8th, 2021.
On Paul Rossi winning the GCC Middleweight Championship
''I think it was one of the greatest performances in GCC history, Paul Rossi performed above and beyond expectations in that fight. It's great to see the kid find his home here at Middleweight and moving up a weight class couldn't have been easy and the way he rose to the occasion in the biggest fight of his career is nothing short of inspirational. As for Tim McCarthy, we know he will be back in the gym preparing to make another run for the title. The Middleweight division has always been a pressure cooker, there are beol no undefeated fighters in the division and none of the previous champions have been able to successfully defend the Middleweight championship. We will see if Paul Rossi can become the first guy to do it.''
On GCC 18 breaking the subscriber record
''I feel like we're asked about this question ever other event these days and that's a great problem to have! Seriously, these guys have been amazing and putting on amazing fights and performances to the point where it feels like these fights just sell themselves. I don't know how long this new record will stand for, it's kind of like the stock market right now hot with no signs of slowing down. With this fight between Juanita Sanchez and Krystal Knight headlining this fight night card, it could very well shatter all existing records with the popularity of these two fighters and I think both of these women are up for the challenge.''
On new MMA promotions and the return of Surpreme MMA
''I think it's all wonderful to see. We already have contracted over 100 fighters across 5 weight divisions in just over a year, it was hard to see how we could continue to swell and give talented prospects an opportunity on the big stage while still keeping our contracted fighters busy, these cards only have so much space. New opportunities and different MMA companies gives many of these young fighters and talented prospects an avenue to make a name for themselves in the business. I can't wait to see what rises to the top in these new promotions and Surpreme MMA because there's no telling what the future holds - heck we may even see them in a GCC cage one day. Bobby Page, Tyler Stevens and Sunni Khan are just a few names of talent who have found a solid footing in the GCC after Surpreme MMA closed their doors.''
On Sanchez vs. Knight II
''TW combat sports head coach was very vocal about getting this fight against Krystal Knight on social media and it just made sense to us to get these two women in the cage again. Krystal is a quiet fighter for the most part, she isn't the type to call out fighters and puts her faith in our match makers to give her the biggest fights available to her but I don't think I have ever signed a fight negotiation so quick. Krystal Knight was all about this fight with Juanita Sanchez and feels that momentum was on her side by the time the fight was over so she's really looking forward to having five rounds to work with in this rematch. On the other hand, this fight makes perfect sense for Juanita Sanchez. She is a bad matchup for Krystal, has beat her before and is probably the biggest name she can knock off while the GCC featherweight title picture looks to sort itself out. Juanita Sanchez wants to be in the best position when the dust settles and her camp consistently expresses confidence in a rematch scenario with either the current champion or contender. With these two women in the cage together again sparks are going to fly and I think it's the obvious favourite for fight of the night.''
Jack Braxton <Radio Host> Hi, Krystal. I am sure you have been training hard for this fight against Juanita Sanchez tomorrow night but could you elaborate on how things have been at Lone Wolf MMA given your
gyms recent performances?
<Krystal Knight> Well Jack, I am not going to sit here and just pretend like everything is fine and dandy, it's been really tough. I've had plenty of ups and downs in my career but for guys like Sanit and Tim - it's like a brand new experience for them and it sucks to watch them go through it. At the end of the day though, we are a resilient bunch and we will prevail in the long run. I can't say that I am going to lead by example because many of my students have already surpassed me as their teacher but I hope that they will draw some inspiration from my performance win lose or draw tomorrow night.
Shawn Cotton <Social Media Analyst> In the lead up to this fight you have been mute on social media, why?
<Krystal Knight> Juanita Sanchez has always been extremely respectful to both me and my camp mates, you never have to worry about hearing something disparaging about you on social media from her or even her head coach for the most part. It's always a refreshing change to be quite honest even if it comes across as boring to some fans. I think we have both put a lot of work into our craft leading into this fight so this one will kinda just sell itself, it really gives us both the opportunity to just focus on our preparation for the big fight.
Daniel Berglund <MMA blogger> Krystal, this fight against Juanita Sanchez marks the second rematch of your professional career. How do you see this fight playing out differently from the first?
<Krystal Knight> I definitely picked up on some things during our fight and I have been working on making some slight adjustments here and there but myself and my coaches expect the fight to play out very similar to our first outing. I feel that with the additional rounds in my back pocket, I can pace myself a lot better and be more offensive minded earlier on in the fight without worrying about being taken down. Also since the Misty fight, I believe I can take her out before we reach the judges score card. I am sure that Juanita will be making some small adjustments of her own after I got the better of her in the third round of our first fight.
Daniel Berglund <MMA blogger> Juanita did make mention of your wrestling ability, would you like to offer a response?
<Krystal Knight> Wrestling is her bread and butter, nobody can take that away from her. I just think that she is underestimating my own wrestling skill and background. Outside of my fight with Mila Sauvage at GCC 1, I don't feel that I've been dominated in that area by anyone and that girl was something else - even Juanita knows what it's like to have that workhorse on top of you kicking your ass, it isn't a good time. Like I said, Juanita is great at what she does and I anticipate that at some point she will get me down but I have been drilling defense this entire training camp so once the fight goes there it isn't going to be as easy as her coaches have been leading her to believe.
Nina Anopov <Reporter> A win over Juanita Sanchez would be huge for you, where do you think you will stand in the Women's Featherweight division and who do you think would win the title fight between Misty and Gaia?
<Krystal Knight> I agree, I am sure it will get me pretty high up there. At the end of the day, I am all about hard work and I don't anticipate that I'll just leap frog over more deserving girls like Alexia or Karla but yeah, a win over Juanita would do great things for my title aspirations for sure! As far as the Misty and Gaia fight assuming that it all happens, I'd have to favor Misty DeMeans. We both have our history and I hate her attitude but I think everyone needs to swallow their pride and just give the girl her due at this point. As far as who I'd want to win? Gaia Galanos easily. I admire her and I hope I get the opportunity to share the octagon with her before I retire.
John Bergandy <Sports Writer> You have eluded to retirement a few times now, how close are you to hanging up the gloves once and for all?
<Krystal Knight> Yeah, I know. I still have the passion for fighting and I still am in shape to get the best out of each camp but I am also a realist. I know that at some point either I will make the decision or the decision will have to be made for me but I prefer to avoid the ladder at all costs. At this moment in time, I still feel I have enough to push towards another title shot. A win over a young and super talented contender like Juanita Sanchez would be a huge sign to me that I still have what it takes to compete at the highest levels of this sport.
John Bergandy <Sports Writer> Is there anything that you would like to say directly to Ms. Sanchez?
<Krystal Knight> I just want to thank her for vocalizing that she was interested in fighting me on social media. She won our first fight fair and square and could've taken the position that she had nothing more to prove to herself but that third round of our first fight just didn't sit well with her just as much as it didn't sit well with me. Tomorrow night we stand up and fight - let's go out there and remind the world why women rule it.
On the upcoming fight between Misty DeMeans and Gaia Galanos:
"Hey it's the fight to make right now. 😊 When Misty beat her, it was due to a pretty nasty cut. I always thought that Gaia deserved a rematch, but that's not the way it worked out. 🥺
I'm glad she's finally getting another title shot. She's had a difficult road back to this position but I think she'll make the most of it.
The fight itself is going to be fun to watch. After we've seen what Misty can do with her hands I don't think Gaia will stand and trade with her, and there is the big possibility that Misty can submit Gaia on the ground, and that will be a big story line going into their rematch." 🤔
On her choice to win:
"They are both very talented ladies in their own way. SaVannah, I see challenges in both girls, and I would love to eventually rematch either one of them, but right now my focus is on Krystal Knight...
Why she pushed so hard for a rematch with Krystal Knight:
I love Krystal as a person. She's such a sweet woman. As a fighter she has so much talent, and her knowledge is off the charts, and other than Gaia Galanos I always considered her my toughest challenge.
When we fought the first time she had me hurt very badly in the third round, and you know I think that I would have been able to come back in the 4th, but others disagree. 😟
So with the five rounds we can finally continue our fight, and hopefully settle the debate."
On her game plan for the fight, and her training camp:
"😜 My training camp went very well. I love my team, they're all so willing to help, and I would help out any one of them, we're like a family.
I know that Krystal's striking is way better than mine 🤔 but my wrestling is way better than hers...🤗 So I want to play to my strengths. Like I said earlier I love Krystal as a person, but when we're alone in the cage I have to show her 'no love' and I have to do what I have to do to win. 🤷