UFC 113 Machida vs. Shogun Press Conference Highlights

The press conference for UFC 113 is in the books. It was pretty much standard fare. Questions came in to Dana White about MMA in Canada.

White talks about the reason for the main event rematch, and the implications of the co-main event between Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley.

Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua were asked about their new mindsets coming into the rematch.

Daley reveals the winner of the Josh Koscheck photoshop contest.

Here's the gist of what everybody had to say.

Dana White

Dana talks about the controversial decision in the first fight between Machida and Shogun, and says both fighters will go for the finish in the rematch. White believes that the rematch is really important because of the controversial decision and the title at stake.

Josh Koscheck started as a wrestler but has become a mixed martial artist.

Paul Daley has been knocking everybody out.

Koscheck and Daley will be fighting for a shot at Georges St. Pierre's welterweight title.

Kimbo Slice has been training at American Top Team and his ground game has evolved. Matt Mitrione is a heavy hitter and a tough test for Kimbo.

White didn't foresee UFC's huge popularity in Canada. Canada has become the Mecca for mixed martial arts. Canadian venues sell out, and Canadians can be seen at events all over the world.

Stories about problems with Canadian athletic commissions have been overblown by the media.

White says that UFC fans don't care about who a fighter is or where he is from, but it's about how he fights. UFC fight fans just love good fights.

Because of that attitude, the UFC can come to Canada with two Brazilians. He likes it when St. Pierre fights in Canada, but logistically, St. Pierre just can't be at every Canadian fight card.

White emphasizes that Mexico is an key part of the UFC's future.

Dana White says that the UFC is successful because MMA fighters put on exciting fights.

Lyoto Machida

Machida has moved past the controversial decision and is focused on the upcoming fight.

Having fought 25 minutes with Rua has allowed Lyoto to learn more about Shogun's style. He expects a completely different fight this time around.

Machida has a new strategy. He's going to try to finish the fight, but will fight with the smartest strategy rather than specifically going for the finish.

Machida says that the rivalry with Rua begins and ends inside the Octagon. He doesn't

take the rivalry personally.

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

Shogun says that Lyoto is a different kind of fighter that requires a careful and conservative strategy. Shogun would prefer to fight more aggressively, but says to do so against Machida would be a bad idea.

Shogun doesn't like the misused adage that “you have to beat the champion to be the champion,” and thinks that fights should be judged evenly regardless of champion status.

Shogun says he's not in a position to judge Anderson Silva's behavior inside the Octagon.

Josh Koscheck

Koscheck isn't worried about being baited into a striking match against Daley. Koscheck feels like he's capable of beating Daley on the feet. He says he's very confident in his striking.

Koscheck refuses to speak about anything past his next fight.

Paul Daley

Daley doesn't want to look past his fight with Koscheck at the title shot that is on the line.

Daley says he doesn't dislike Koscheck, but he knows that other people think he's a jerk.

He announces the winner of the Koscheck photoshop contest.

Here is the winner.

He's not worried about the hype or war of words surrounding the fight, and is taking a mushin state of mind. (Mushin is a Japanese mental state before combat that involves “no-mindedness.”)

Kimbo Slice

Kimbo says that he has become a hockey fan. (Playing to the local crowd much?)

Kimbo feels that he's no longer a one-dimensional street fighter, and that he's evolved as a fighter.

Matt Mitrione

Mitrione says he's flattered to be fighting Kimbo, and looks forward to throwing hands with him.

Mitrione shows mock shock at the idea that he's expected to engage in a brawl with Slice. He says that he's comfortable trading leather with Kimbo.

He says he didn't get a chance to observe Kimbo's training on the Ultimate Fighter reality show.