WARNING: THE LANGUAGE CONTAINED WITHIN THIS CLIP IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. GCC HAS AGREED TO ALLOW THE UNEDITED VERSION TO BE AIRED, BUT THIS DISCLAIMER MUST PRECEDE.
A shaky camera scene opens up in the cover of the night’s darkness or is it earlier than anyone should ever be awake? The view displays the GCC Global Training Facility which has been open 24/7 trying to get the fighters in while maintaining the social distancing rules set forth by not only GCC themselves, but the fight commissions around the world. This shaky camera is clearly some person’s smartphone being used to grab this footage. Our view is obstructed suddenly by a familiar man wearing a black mask with wolf fangs on it. Based on the eyes and every other feature that’s visible, this appears to be Aleksandr Baranov. Our suspicions are proven correct when he speaks:
BARANOV: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Aleksandr Baranov. This morning, we are take in-depth look into my opponent Ross Hanson’s training program. You see, Ross Hanson has been sailing by in GCC, and I think everyone would like to know his secret.
Baranov enters the mostly-empty building, showing us just how much of a ghost town most MMA gyms are during the COVID-19 scare. Ross Hanson, noticeably skinnier than the last time we saw him fight, is drilling with a grappling coach. Having stepped within his earshot, Aleksandr Baranov speaks aloud:
BARANOV: Great! We caught rare sight of Ross Hanson putting in effort. I half-expected him to be off in some pro-wrestling place goofing off as the Kentucky Tarzan!
Aleksandr laughs boisterously. There’s no way Ross Hanson hasn’t heard his words, but the wrestler seems to have ignored the words as he continues to work on a submission from his guard. This doesn’t deter Baranov though as he now directs his words to Hanson himself.
BARANOV: So, Ross, I am very glad I was able to catch you here…
Thanks to the wonders of having brought an assistant to help him, Aleksandr Baranov is able to approach Ross Hanson’s training area hands-free. Ross continues to quietly discuss the technique at hand with his coach.
BARANOV: I must say I honestly expected you to treat this fight like any other fight you had in GCC, but look at you!
The masked Russian motions to his opponent as he continues to walk toward him. As he’s walking, Aleksandr suddenly comes to a point where he’s aware of his distance from Ross Hanson. Suddenly, he halts in his steps.
BARANOV: Whoa, that was close, my friend. I nearly moved within your six-foot radius. ...Whew.
Aleksandr puts his hands up mockingly, tiptoeing ever-so-gently across a white circle marked on the gym floor with athletic tape.
BARANOV: I would not want to give you any reason to be any lazier piece of shit than you already are, Ross. COVID-19 is no joke, but you are already exhausted mess without its help, eh?
Ross and his coach look up towards Baranov, both wearing blue medical masks decorated with a red and white phoenix.
BARANOV: I cannot lie, Kentucky Caveman, I half-expected Daddy to be here holding your hand all the way. Hell, your fucking old man even had to do your talking on social media for you. Say, better yet, I think if you really wanted to train. You could probably call that aunt of yours. Heard she’s a bad little bitch...
Ross finally has enough, kipping up to his feet so quick his coach nearly flies out of the circle.
COACH: Ross, no…
ROSS: No, fuck this prick!
Hanson charges directly at Baranov, and as the two fighters collide (several days early for their scheduled fight) the camera is knocked around wildly as all social distancing guidelines go to the wind and everybody in the room has rushed in. All that can be heard are several male voices yelling, and all that can be seen is blur after blur.
BARANOV: COME ON!
ROSS: EAT A SACK OF BABY DICKS MOTHER FUCKER!
When the camera is picked back up and put back into focus, we see Ross' grappling coach (and two other trainers) pulling Ross back towards the locker room. Aleksandr's assistant, along with GCC gym reps, is doing the same. The video is abruptly ended, amongst more yelling from both camps.
EDITORS NOTE:
Mr. Khan has stated that he is particularly disappointed in, Aleksandr Baranov due to the role he played in antagonizing Ross Hanson. Furthermore, the complete disregard for the social distancing and pre-fight testing protocols put in place to ensure that all fighters remain safe puts all GCC fighters and employees at risk and could negatively impact the companies ability to put on future shows and events during the COVID-19. The actions displayed in the following video have been described as childish, foolish and extremely selfish. While a number has not been set or agreed upon, fines will be assessed and likely will be drawn from Aleksandr Baranov's fight purse after a complete investigation is held.