The events in this thread occurs on September 19th, 2019. No mentions of what occurs at this event should be mentioned directly through social media before the press conference is revealed to the public.
When the bright flashes and audio camera clicks sets the scene, GCC President Fazan Khan ushered out by two man security team is escorted to his table. He is joined by both Awut Somaskul and Rob Jones who arrived to the press conference a few minutes early. Other fighters are shuffling in but Fazan Khan seems a little more eager to start the proceedings then he normally is... perhaps he has a hot date?
Fazan Khan: Thank you all for attending tonight press conference here in Singapore! It is a great pleasure to usher in a new era of heavyweights under the GCC umbrella. Heavyweights have been the staple of professional fighting competitions as they best embody size, strength and sheer power. From Muhammed Ali to Mike Tyson, these larger than life personalities have inspired the entire world from sporting fans to historians alike.
''Mr Khan!'' A media media called out. ''Let's talk heavyweights. How important was it to sign former Union GP heavyweight champion Brock Quarry for the GCC brand?''
Fazan Khan: Our signing of Brock Quarry was very important, I hate to add any extra pressure onto his shoulders but if there's anyone who can handle it, it's probably that guy. He is a great fighter known for overcoming adversity and the odds and he has the heart of a lion. That said, there are seven other world class tier competitors in this bracket in what promises to be the most competitive tournament we've seen in GCC thus far.
''Mr. Khan!'' Another media member cries out. ''Why has GCC moved away from the one night tournament and can we expect to see it return sometime in the near future?''
Fazan Khan: We felt that the One Night Tournament was a fun and interesting experiment but determined that it caused unnecessary wear and tear on our competitors. Due to the damage any particular fighter may have or had not experienced in a previous fight it undermined the final outcome. In any sporting competition, we want to know who is the absolute best without any lingering questions and the one night tournament just isn't what we are looking for to achieve this goal.
Other members of the press shout out questions but Fazan Khan adjusts the cuff to his neatly pressed suite and leans into the microphone.
Fazan Khan: Ladies and gentlemen in our headlining fight, we have Awut Somaskul going head to head with Rob Jones. Now let it be known, Rob Jones is the reason this fight is happening. He approached GCC management with the match request so we pitched it to Awut who accepted the fight with no hesitation. Like him or hate him, Rob Jones knows how to sell a fight, trains hard and is hungry to fight for GCC and earn himself a title shot. He isn't passive or scared to step on a few toes to make his own opportunities and I appreciate that and I hope to see more of it.
Rob Jones smiles and pats Fazan Khan on his shoulder while Awut Somaskul stares emotionless into the crowd. Mr. Khan scans the field for media inquiries and points at one.
''Thank you, Mr. Khan.'' A timid female journalist began. ''Do you think the winner of Awut and Rob is going to be next in line for a title shot after the conclusion of Redfield-Rogers?''
Fazan Khan: The main-event will not necessarily determine the number one contender. Cayden Redfield will defend his title against Jake Rogers in October for the GCC lightweight championship and once the dust settles, I'll have a better idea on what's next but this is a very important fight for both men in such a new company and division. One big win can see to it that you are in a title discussion. Granted, it won't be like this for long but for now... the field is virtually wide open for everyone.
Go out and get it my friends.
Mr. Khan bows his head respectfully and turns the microphone aside allowing the larger than life fighters to say their piece.
Almost immediately another hand rises in the air. Upon acknowledgement from Mr. Khan the reporter begins their question.
Q: This question is for Alejandro Rivera.
Rivera nods towards the reporter with acknowledgement.
Q:. I think it came as a surprise to many last night at the open workouts to see you training with Lone Wolf MMA. Last time you fought you fought under the umbrella of HILITE FC. WHY THE CHANGE OF CAMPS?
Alejandro laughs.
Q: You emphasized that question. It's okay I'm glad you asked. It's not for the normal reasons. The team at HILITE and I are still close.
I've trained in Thailand for a while before going to Toronto. I had a few issues so I went back to Thailand where privacy could be easily obtained.
I enjoy training with Krystal Knight and other Lone Wolf team members and we learn a lot from one another.
So please if anybody has or had any ideas for my departure other than my explanation today. Please know they aren't true.
A silence falls over the room untill the silence is mercifully broken.
Q: Alejandro you are 34 years old. You've competed in kickboxing, muay thai, pro wrestling, and MMA. You have been successful at all these sports. What more do you have left to prove?
Alejandro contemplates the question.
A: Nothing. I have nothing left to prove. I love competition, my body is still healthy, and I would miss it.
Q: You're in a heavyweight tournament against seven hungry athletes including Brock Quarry. At your age are you ready for such a tournament?
A: You better believe I'm ready. I've never felt better. I've watched tape on all these guys and I know that I can compete and win. So don't worry about that.
Q: Alejandro do you have any thing to say regarding any other tournament entrant?
Alejandro shakes his head 'no'.
A: I'm not here to run anybody down that's not my job. I will do my talking in the cage. I just came to address the elephant in the room.
So if there are no more questions for me?
Alejandro trails off in the middle of his thought. He looks around the room and with no more questions. He smiles cordially and lays down his mic.
JaySon Francis is seated at the press conference with a grin on his face when the first media member directs a question his way.
Michelle Balmer | MMACORE.com
''JaySon, what are you thoughts of your round one tournament match up?''
JaySon Francis | The Praying Mantis
''Tommy Ward is an okay fighter in my opinion and if we are talking pure facts his biggest win is over a fat unathletic white chick so I don't really understand all the hype about him is about, you feel me?''
Kevin Wilson | MMAWORLD.COM
''How confident do you feel in your chances to win the GCC heavyweight championship especially with the likes of former Union GP heavyweight champion Brock Quarry in the running?''
JaySon Francis | The Praying Mantis
''Yeah, bet. I mean we got a big hitter around here, that's cool. Real talk for a hot second, ain't Brock train with another one of those so called Union GP world champs? Where is he at right now? Clearly none of that shit matters over here...''
Mushib Azarah | Abu Dhabi Fight Club
''Tommy Ward has his team at T.W sports in his corner, how do you feel your camp went leading up to this fight?''
JaySon Francis | The Praying Mantis
''I train with them boys out of our gym called Gun Play MMA straight out of the projects in ATL. I am going to use the money from this fight to fly my boys out to Abu Dhabi to meet with Khan because I know they just as hungry too.''
Mushib Azarah | Abu Dhabi Fight Club
''Would you say that you are the leader?''
JaySon Francis | The Praying Mantis
''I'd say so. I'm still streets but I am also an educated nigga who knows how to make the right moves at the right time. So yeah, I'mma put on for the rest of my squad and make sure we all have a seat at the dinner table.''
Tom Harland | GCC writer
''I see Tommy Ward at the weigh ins, he looked amazing. How confident are you heading into the fight on Saturday night?''
JaySon Francis | The Praying Mantis
''I feel you, I am sure he workin' real hard with the rest of his boys. On my mama, I respect his grind. At the end of the day though, I work just as hard if not harder on my craft and I know I got all the right boxes checked on my genetic dice roll and I have been destined for greatness ever since. You best believe there are different levels to this shit and Tommy Ward ain't on it.''
Ashlyn Desai | MMAUNDERGROUND.COM
''JaySon, who do you think your biggest challenge in the heavyweight tournament will be?''
JaySon Francis | The Praying Mantis
''My biggest challenge comes from the man above. I know if I stay straight, keep my mind at a focus and remain loyal to GOD, good things are going to happen to me. If I step into the cage and get carried out on a stretcher then I accept that too for it is in our great creators will. Best believe that I fear no man and certainly do not fear the sound of rain nor thunder.''
Tyson Johnson | Blogger
''Hey homie, you've been pretty open with your strategy and the moves you plan to make and I just wanted to know why that is?''
JaySon Francis | The Praying Mantis
It's real simple homie... I am going into the cage and I am taking out thunder rod with a high kick to the face. There isn't anything deep or secretive about that. Lights out. Plus, I'll tell my opponents what I am going to do before I do it because it's 2019 and we are in the age of consent and I want to make sure that he know's exactly what he signed up for before it happens and it's too late.
Anyone else? ... Bet, stay blessed.
Silence engulfs the room after Rob lays down his mic. The T.W COMBAT reps quickly exchange words whilst leaning behind Robby Nitro.
Somebody in the crowd can be heard clearing their throat.
Q: This next question is for Tommy Ward. I noticed you and Rob just exchanged some words. Would you care to enlighten us?
A: It was a personal conversation. There's nothing I can enlighten you on.
I will let you know how beautiful Singapore is, how great the locals have been to us, and how excited we are to be here.
Q: Tommy you've had a successful boxing and MMA career. You're 2-0 against stiff competition within prior organizations How confident are you that you will win the heavyweight tournament and the championship?
A: There's a lot of talent in this tournament so I don't want to look past my opening fight against JaySon Francis. He is an amazing kickboxer, but I am a great boxer. I am certain the fight will turn out some great highlights.
Q: Tommy whilst you are known as a great boxer, it's your jiu jitsu that is world class. How likely is it we will see a stand-up battle?
Tommy looks at the reporter with a bemused expression on his face.
Q: Tune in Saturday night to find out.
Several reporters start to speak up at once. Tommy looks around the room at the chaos he's caused before he and Rob abruptly get up and leave the press conference.
The sounds of shuffling paperwork, camera shutters, and the low voices of reporters fill the room, as the fighters await the questions.
Q: this question is for Rob Jones. At GCC 1 you guaranteed victory in the lightweight tournament, but came up short. How is that affecting your mentality going into this fight?
A: I was devastated at the time, but after talking with my mentor, family, and coaches I decided that instead of being upset I would move on with my GCC career. Where I will eventually win the lightweight championship.
As for GCC 1 affecting my fight with Awut Somaskul. No it's not negatively affecting my training, nor will it affect the outcome of the fight.
I will knock out The Collector Saturday night and I will prove that I'm still the #kingof155.
Q: Awut is a well-rounded fighter. You've shown a serious lack of ground abilities. You seem to be dismissing that fact.
Q: I have said it before and I'll say it again. I don't dismiss or overlook anybody. He is a great fighter and that's why I chose to fight him.
Q: How do you plan on dealing with his ground game?
A: How will he deal with my striking? That's the question to ask.
Rob allows a moment of silence to go by before continuing.
Q: Awut is a good opponent. This match should have been the finals at GCC 1. This fight will showcase the best in the division and the winner can say they are the uncrowned GCC lightweight champion.
Rob looks around the sea of reporters for more questions. When silence meets him. He nods his head and lays down the microphone.