VIACOM Moderator: Salil Gulati June 16, 2010 1:00 p.m. CTmedia.ufc.tv/media/cms/tuf11conf.pdfVIACOM...

VIACOM Moderator: Salil Gulati 06-16-10/1:00 p.m. CT

Confirmation # 81221282 Page 1

VIACOM

Moderator: Salil Gulati June 16, 2010 1:00 p.m. CT

Male: Hey, everybody. Welcome to the “Ultimate Fighter” season finale conference call. We – today on the line we’re going to have the night’s main event participants, Matt Hamill and Keith Jardine, as well as the finalists from the season’s “Ultimate Fighter,” Kris McCray and Court McGee. We’re going to start with Keith and Matt and then turn it over to Kris and Court later.

So I will turn it over to our operator, (Kyrie), who will start the Q&A right

now. Operator: To ask a question, please press star then the number one on your telephone

keypad. To withdraw your question, press the pound key. We’ll pause for a brief moment to compile the Q&A roster.

Your first question comes from the line of Justin Merhoff. Justin Merhoff: Yes. Keith, I saw that on the fight card your guys’ fight got changed from the

main event to the co-main event. Is that still happening, and was there a reason behind that?

Keith Jardine: You know, I don’t know much about that. I don’t care. I don’t – I don’t

know – I don’t know how – what the UFC usually does for the "Ultimate Fighter" finale. I think that the finale usually comes last, and then the regular fighters fight right before that. So I think it’s just normal.

Justin Merhoff: Oh, OK. Because for the longest time you guys were the main event, and then

it just changed as of yesterday on the website.



Keith Jardine: Yes, well it’s just words to me, honestly. Justin Merhoff: OK. Thank you. Keith Jardine: Thank you. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Anton Gurevich. Anton Gurevich: Hey, guys. A question for Keith. In light of the fact that Matt Hamill is well

known for his wrestling skills, is there any chance we’ll see a ground game in this fight? Are you prepared for that?

Keith Jardine: Yes. If he – if he takes it down, he’s certainly going to see my ground game.

But you know he is going to take me down, eventually. I’m sure it’s going to happen. But whether I get back to my feet or whether I try and mix in some submissions and stuff like that, we’ll see. But I’m sure it’s going to happen. I’m sure I’m going to get tested.

And you know I’ve been training with Rashad Evans since 2005, and I’ve

been – I’ve been training to fight a wrestler since then. So you know I’m pretty excited about this opportunity.

Anton Gurevich: All right. Thank you. Keith Jardine: No problem. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Neil Davidson. Neil Davidson: Yes, thank you. Keith, anything can happen in your sport, as you know, but

looking back, do you have any explanation for why you’ve gone through a bad patch? Have you been able to identify anything in what you’ve been doing, or it was just shit happens?

Keith Jardine: No, no. I think you’re right. I’ve been going through a bit of a slump lately.

But I’m just looking at it as learning pains, because I’ve been trying really hard to clean up my boxing. Everyone told me how awkward and how



unpredictable I am and stuff like that. And I think I tried too hard to clean up my boxing. But I learned a lot of lessons doing that.

But now – me and Greg Jackson, like we went to (inaudible) with him, we

looked at all of my fights, from my first UFC fight until my last. And we started breaking down when I’m doing good stuff, when I’m doing bad stuff. And now there’s a little bit more rhyme and reason behind what I do. Like I can be – I can get back to my old style, if I want to, or I can get real clean and crisp and do new stuff, if I want to.

But it’s just I feel like I’ve come full circle, and I’ve needed these learning

pains to get to where I am right now. And I’m excited now to show off a little bit and make another run for the top.

Neil Davidson: So do you think that you were trying to get away from that unorthodox style

and it cost you? Keith Jardine: Absolutely it did. And absolutely I was. But I think it was because I didn’t

really know what it was that made me unorthodox. I didn’t really – I didn’t really know what I was doing that was making it so hard for people to fight me. And now I do. And now I know how to summon that when I need it.

And I’ve never been more excited to fight than I am right now. I’ve never

been more happy to be in the UFC or more hungry to get to the top than I am right now. So everything’s for a reason, and I feel real – just real fortunate to be in the place I am right now.

Neil Davidson: And just, finally, if I may, do you feel then that you’ve kind of figured things

out? Because I would imagine it must have been a bit confusing, given the big wins and the losses that you had.

Keith Jardine: Very confusing. And I would sit down with my coaches and say, look, man,

something’s wrong here. I can’t possibly work any harder than I’ve been working to – for these fights. I can’t train any harder.

But something’s wrong. This is – this is happening too much; there’s

something going on. This is not just a freak thing anymore. We need to find



out what it is. And I think we found that, and well I’m sure we found that. And I’m sure that I’m ready for a, well, a rebirth, as it were.

Neil Davidson: Thank you. Good luck. Keith Jardine: Thank you. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Kevin Iole. Kevin Iole: Hi, Keith. How are you? Keith Jardine: Hey, pretty good, man. Kevin Iole: Hey, just following up a little bit on what Neil said. First of all, you said you

know you understand what made you orthodox. Can you explain to us what you think it is that made you unorthodox before?

Keith Jardine: I don’t want to get into detail, because I don’t want to give too much away.

But it’s just more movement, and timing, and posture, and it’s just it’s more doing it on purpose than on accident. How’s that?

Kevin Iole: And in the fights like you know the last couple fights that you lost, were you

trying you know were you in the position that you were trying to do something unorthodox and got caught in between, so to speak?

Keith Jardine: Some of the times I’ve got caught, just because I’ve been trying to be a little

bit too orthodox, actually, too clean. A little bit too like I read a how-to boxing book. And a little bit too planned in everything I was doing. I was, all right, now I’m going to do this kind of step this way, and do this combination, take this angle and do that.

And now it’s more like just relax and full free and – flow free and have fun.

And just relax a little bit. And since I’ve been doing that, it’s like my sparring, my practice, everything’s just been off the charts. I’m a completely new person now, I feel like.



Kevin Iole: Your overall record is good. Your recent record is bad. So do you feel any pressure for your job in this fight? Like you’re fighting to save your job at all?

Keith Jardine: You know, I’m not really worried about that. Honestly, it’s fitting that I’m in

the "Ultimate Fighter" finale, because that’s how we have all – it kind of reminds me of back when you’re first starting in the UFC and every fight’s like that. Every fight you win, you stay; you lose, you go. And it just makes you hungrier, and it makes you relish the opportunity a little bit more. So, no, I’m in a good place with all of that.

Kevin Iole: Thank you, Keith. Good luck. Keith Jardine: Thank you. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Elliot Olshansky. Elliot Olshansky: Hey, just for starters, Keith, you and Robby were part of the original Team

Franklin on the "Ultimate Fighter" in season two, and Matt being part of the original Team Ortiz from season three. And with Rich having taken over for Tito during the season, do you feel like that kind of contributes to some of the atmosphere of this fight that you know both those guys coached the season and their protégés from before are fighting now?

Keith Jardine: Yes. I never really thought about that before, but, yes, yes. I guess so. Yes, I

guess it’s a little uncanny, but I’ll tell you what, Rich was a great coach and I learned a lot from him when I was on that season. He taught me what it was like – what a real pro fighter acts like and how he runs his day. And I can’t thank him enough for that.

So I don’t know if that answered your question about there’s a … Elliot Olshansky: That’s fine, Keith. Keith Jardine: OK. Elliot Olshansky: And they haven’t had a chance to hear everybody else on this. Everybody

else is on the call now, right? All the – all the – all four guys?



Keith Jardine: I think it’s just me and Matt. Elliot Olshansky: Oh, OK. Well as long as they’re out then, Matt, can – if I can put the same

question to you. Is it – does it strike you as kind of a funny coincidence to be fighting a Team Franklin guy, given the fact that Rich replaced your old "Ultimate Fighter" coach, Tito, on this season of the show?

Male: Just so you guys know, it’ll take a second for me to interpret, and then Matt’s

going to answer it back with (inaudible) … Elliot Olshansky: Of course. Yes. Matt Hamill: Well it’s not funny at all. You know, it’s a coach is coach. Male: He said it’s not funny at all. A coach is a coach. Elliot Olshansky: Yes. And does being back at the finale on a season Tito coached bring back

memories of his own time on the show? Matt Hamill: My memories and coach sure. Oh, yes. Bring from five years ago. Then it –

(inaudible) from the show until now. And I was very awkward from day one until now it got a little better.

Male: He said yes, it brings back memories, and especially from five years ago when

he was first on the show, he was a little awkward. And then until now, he’s a completely different fighter.

Elliot Olshansky: All right. I’ll – that’s it for now. I’ll have another question when the finalists

get back on. Court McGee: I’m on right now. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Damon Martin. Damon Martin: Yes. First question is for Keith. Keith, you had said, obviously you know

some changes in your boxing style. With your last fight against Ryan Bader



you showed really great takedown defense. Just had a you know a slip in that third round.

Mentality-wise, is there anything different in this camp that Greg or Mike

Winkeljohn has told you, just because you were able to stuff you know Bader’s takedowns, you kind of frustrated him, and just had a bad third round? You’re facing a similar wrestler style in Matt Hamill. So, I mean, mentality-wise, did they approach this differently, or how do you approach this?

Keith Jardine: You know, this fight, the – again, from training with the wrestlers that I have

for so long, and the takedown defense has become a little second nature. But Matt does have different takedowns than Bader. He has a lot different technique. But – I’m sorry, what was the question again?

Damon Martin: Just you know did … Keith Jardine: Oh, the way we – the way we approached it. Damon Martin: Yes. Keith Jardine: Yes. Damon Martin: Right. Keith Jardine: Yes. The way we approached it, we didn’t real – honestly, this fight’s been

more about me than Matt Hamill. And Matt Hamill brings some really good stuff to the table. But this training’s been more about getting me to where I need to be, and you know just like I said, trying to – trying to have a little bit more fun and being more free in my boxing, and my wrestling, and my jujitsu. Just – it’s just about the new Keith Jardine. It’s been more about that.

I’m sorry I’m not answering too much of your question. Damon Martin: No, no problem. Well let me ask you, and taking absolutely nothing away

from your past opponents, but when you look at the losses you’ve had and things like that, I mean, do you feel like a lot of it is just you know stuff on your own side? I mean, do you – because I know fighters are there own worst



critics, so do you feel like a lot of those losses you put back on yourself when you talk about the new Keith Jardine we’re going to see in this fight?

Keith Jardine: Absolutely. I’ve been going through some growing pains, and I’ve been in a

little bit of a slump. But that’s the way I look at it, it’s just a little bit of a slump. And I needed to go through those pains to get to here.

I’m showing glimpses of greatness, but – see, I knew two years ago, I beat

Forrest, I beat Liddell, I beat those guys. But you know in my heart I knew that I wasn’t – I wasn’t the fighter I wanted to be. I knew I wasn’t – I wasn’t ready to carry the UFC torch yet.

But – so I went back to work. And I’ve been working hard ever since. And

then sometimes you get a little worse before you get better, and I had to go through these growing pains. I tried to be too polished, and I tried to be too planned in everything I was doing. And I think I’ve come full circle now, and I think I’m ready to let loose and exhibit a lot of the stuff I’ve been doing.

Damon Martin: Awesome. And a – and a question for Matt. Matt, obviously, you’re coming off an injury

in your last fight to Jon Jones, the shoulder and everything. Can you give us a idea you know how your health was, and you know when you were able to fully recover and you know get back into training? Because, as far as I know, that’s, you know – you know, a pretty serious injury, shoulder injury, can definitely hamper you.

Matt Hamill: Yes, I had a stage two separation when Jon Jones took me down. And you

know it was bad. It took me a while to heal. But now I’m 100 percent. The arm is ready and my shoulder is fine. So I’m ready to go.

Male: (Inaudible) … Damon Martin: OK. Thank you very much. Male: OK. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of (Shawn Crest).



(Shawn Crest): Yes, my question is for Matt. Could you talk a little bit about what you

learned from Tito Ortiz when he was your coach on "Ultimate Fighter"? Matt Hamill: What I learned from Tito it’s all about going to town. And it’s about more a

(inaudible). But from day one I learned about training. And I want to say (inaudible) until now I’m more ground fighting and I’m more of like I’m (inaudible). And all the movement is (inaudible). I’ve (inaudible) training until now.

(Shawn Crest): And does he have an opinion of the controversy that Tito had this season?

Was he surprised that Tito left the show? But what does he feel about that whole controversy this season?

Matt Hamill: Well I want the whole show. So I just (inaudible). But all I know is that you

(inaudible), and he did a great job when he coached me, just like in the (inaudible) show. And I don’t know what the reason why he’s left the show. So must (inaudible). So (inaudible) next show. Probably next and there might be a reason, so. So hoping for best.

(Shawn Crest): All right. And then my final question, Tito is one of the more vocal coaches

when his fighters are in the cage fighting. Was that a challenge for you and how did you – how do you handle not being able to get coaching in the middle of fights?

Matt Hamill: Well without coach in front of me, let’s put it this way. You know I’m deaf. I

never had a coach in the corner. The only thing that I’ve had a coach was wait until the bell rings. Then I go on a break and (inaudible) my coach. Right now it’s all in my mind. It’s all on me. And but I have to review the game plan so I get to the (inaudible).

But with Tito you know as a coach better (inaudible) communicate with me.

And so (inaudible) what I’m doing now, so I’m (inaudible) and that just mean the coach before the fight and then prepare for the fight.

(Shawn Crest): Great. Thank you very much.



Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Anton Gurevich. Anton Gurevich: Yes. A question for Keith, again. And did you feel like you know the time

under (inaudible) in the "Ultimate Fighter" show, think it was one month or even a little bit more, if it was enough for you to become a better fighter, or it was the time after the show, the chance to train with the – to get yourself a better training camp?

Keith Jardine: I think I was on the show for six weeks, and it was more than enough, believe

me. It was a tough six weeks. Anybody on the show will tell you, it’s just – it’s really a weird situation.

You’re in there with a bunch of guys that you kind of got to make friends

with, but you kind of got to fight. And you have no source of entertainment. You’re just like – almost like you’re in jail for six weeks, and all you do – all you do is get lit up, go work out, so. So it kind of really sucked.

But what happened is I learned a lot of the weaknesses that I had at that time.

And a lot of them were exploited through practice and through my fight with Rashad. And so afterwards I got to go back and work on that and become the fighter I am today.

The thing with the show is, though, what it does for everybody that gets the

opportunity to fight in the finale and to move on is you get to be a pro fighter after that. You get to …

Anton Gurevich: Yes. Keith Jardine: … quit your day job and dedicate your whole day to becoming a real pro

athlete and a better fighter. And the guys that take advantage of that, I think guys like Kenny Florian and such, really shine later.

Anton Gurevich: All right. And if you can you know to tell a little about the process after the

show, because we often see many fighters getting themselves training into the (inaudible) or American Top Team, camps like that. Can you train the process like after finish the show or who contacts you or how your connection to these camps (inaudible)?



Keith Jardine: I’m sorry. I don’t understand. Were you asking me how I got on the show? Anton Gurevich: No. What I mean is after you finish the "Ultimate Fighter" show, how do you

get yourself to train in all these top camps, because you know a lot of the fighters …

Keith Jardine: Oh, yes. Anton Gurevich: … who come to your show – yes. Keith Jardine: Yes. You know what usually happens, I was already involved in a great camp

in Greg Jackson’s camp when I went on the show, and that’s part of the reason why I got on the show, I think. But you see a lot of the guys, they’ll stick with their coaches that were on the show or stay affiliated with that, or they’ll meet guys. Like Rashad didn’t have a real camp when he was on the show with me and then I called him up and invited him down to Greg Jackson’s camp. And you – and you see that a lot of the guys kind of sit together like that.

Like I said before, just the show is such an op – great opportunity, you’re a

household name all the sudden. So you can go to the top teams, and you can go to the AKAs or the Greg Jacksons and get the best training in the world after being on the show.

Anton Gurevich: All right. And thank you, Keith. Another question is for Matt. And is there any special meaning for you to

fight for a second consecutive time on the finale of the "Ultimate Fighter"? Matt Hamill: Well on the – I don’t know about special or that, but I just show up like it

doesn’t. It doesn’t mean any different. So I just feel like it’s (inaudible). Anton Gurevich: All right. Thank you, again. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Elliot Olshansky. Elliot Olshansky: Hey, Court, the first question is for you. You know, obviously, in the past, the

"Ultimate Fighter" was you know known for a lot of the drinking that took



place in the house and things that guys did when they were under the influence. But we didn’t really see a whole lot of that this season. Did you – did you expect to have more of that going on around you, and did you have any concerns about that going in, given your own – your own history you know about having all that going on around you?

Court McGee: Well, I … Male: Hey, Court, can you hold that thought? We’re just going to – only questions

for Matt and Keith at this moment, and then when they’re done, we’ll turn it over to the finalists. Sorry about that, Court. I don’t want to …

Court McGee: No, that’s OK. Male: … jump in on you. But, yes. Please, just want to get the guys in and out. So

if you could just keep all questions to Matt Hamill and Keith Jardine right now, and then we’ll turn it over to the finalists after that.

Elliot Olshansky: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t – I didn’t realize that. I was – it took me a while to get

into the conference so I didn’t hear that part. My apologies. I’ll withdraw and wait until the questions for the finalists then.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Neil Davidson. Neil Davidson: Yes, this is for Matt. Matt, how do you view the fight against Jon Jones,

looking back? Do you – you won the fight, though through disqualification. Do you see it as a fight where you were injured and unable to continue, rather than a win?

Matt Hamill: Well my terrific fight against Jon Jones, I wasn’t very happy. I was very

disappointed. So I was in shock because nobody ever take me down. But he gave me a little wakeup call. And I just (had to) control my balance and a lot of time. But, yes, I had to fight (inaudible) because Jon Jones. And it – I just (inaudible) made a mistake.

Well I know that (inaudible) but I wasn’t – it’s not the kind of I want the win.

But, yes, Jon Jones (shouldn’t have been) (inaudible).



Male: Did you understand that OK? Neil Davidson: I’m sorry, could you repeat that for us? Male: Yes. He said Jon Jones took him by surprise. He was the first guy to ever

take him down. It gave him a wakeup call. So, you got to be ready for anything, and he doesn’t feel like he won that fight; and Jon Jones did a great job doing what he did.

Neil Davidson: OK. Good luck, Matt. Thank you. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Brian Hemminger. Brian Hemminger: OK. My question’s for Keith. The overhand right has been like your

Achilles’ heel in your recent losses. Have you been training with Greg Jackson to defend against that a little better, and you know just about that mainly?

Keith Jardine: Yes. Ever since Mandalay, probably. But, yes, we’ve been working on some

movement and some things, and how I’m getting myself in bad positions. And we’ve been working on all of that. And I’m definitely not worried about that anymore.

Brian Hemminger: All right. Thank you. Keith Jardine: Thank you very much. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Kevin Iole. Kevin Iole: Hi. Another question for Keith, if I might, please. Keith you know at the top

level of MMA, like boxing, the margin between winning and losing is so close. And I wonder if you can talk about it, because you had some fights – your like fight with Rampage you know one of the judges told you you lost it on that knockdown in the last 10 seconds. You know, obviously, your Vera fight was very close and whatnot. And when you look at those fights, how close they were, do you have to kind of break down you know the really minute things that might have cost you a win or a loss?



Keith Jardine: Recently I have. In the past, I haven’t. I just looked at as that’s the way she goes, go back to work, and I do what I always do, just work real hard. But no, I’ve been breaking it down a lot lately and seeing where things go right and seeing where things go wrong.

It’s a different sport with these little gloves, though. You just get hit the right

way, like what happened to Chuck the other night, it’s just – it’s just these gloves are a big equalizer. And it makes for an exciting fight and exciting sport, and they’re (inaudible).

I think that’s why I’ve been so fortunate to be where I am right now. I mean,

come on, like Joe Silva calls me, wants me on the main event for the "Ultimate Fighter." Like I was jumping for joy. I thought I might be on the undercard somewhere. So the lesson is the important thing is to not just win the fights, but you got to have good exciting fights. You got to lay it on the line.

And that’s one thing I’ve always done. I’ve never – I’ve never cowered, I’ve

never – I’ve never tried to win a points fighting championship. I’ve always just tried to win the actual fight. And I think that’s why they UFC always gives me the opportunities to be in these positions.

Kevin Iole: To go back to that Rampage fight, obviously, if you beat a guy like that, that

would have been you know a title probably would have change you know changed a lot in your life. Have you let yourself think about you know how close you came to that, and you know what the difference in your life would have been had you know had it gone the other way?

Keith Jardine: Yes, absolutely. Man, things could have been a lot different. But, like I said,

like I said, I’ve probably said it a bunch of times already here, and probably boring you guys, but I really feel that these are just learning pains for me, and that’s stuff I had to go through. Maybe I wasn’t ready for the title shot yet, where now I feel I’m much more capable. I’m mentally, physically, I’m a much better athlete than I was even just a year ago or two years ago. So maybe I needed to go through that to get where I am right now.



But being so close; man, that was so hard to take. I was – I remember the end of the fight, I didn’t know what the score was, I didn’t know that I had the fight. So I was really trying to – that’s why I ran into that punch, because I was really trying to make a statement, I was really trying to put him down. So, and I think that’s why some of the fans like me, because I wasn’t just dancing around, going to take the win and go home. I was trying to finish the fight.

Kevin Iole: Thank you, Keith. And a question for Matt. Matt, in relation to what Keith was just talking

about how he always tries to finish and whatnot, do you look at him as a guy that is more dangerous than the average fighter, especially given his recent results?

Matt Hamill: (Inaudible) is most are dangerous you know all fighters so they’re going to –

they’re doing the job which one to fight. No, I’m just being well prepared. Kevin Iole: Could you repeat that for me? Male: Yes. He said pretty much all fighters are dangerous, and as long as they’re

doing their job and everybody’s well prepared, then that’s what he’s ready for. Kevin Iole: Thank you. Good luck, Matt. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Anton Gurevich. Anton Gurevich: Yes. A question for Matt, again. Except for the fight with Jon Jones, you are

– you are currently on a three-fight winning streak. You are thinking about a fight against Keith maybe to use it as a statement that you are (doing) the UFC light-heavyweight – light-heavyweight division and you know maybe making – maybe putting yourself into the mix for a shot at the title?

Matt Hamill: Well, as you know, I’m not even the top 20 in the (republic) and the top 10

fighters (inaudible) I’m sure I wouldn’t be close to the title shot. But right now I’m (inaudible) to Jon Jones I had to go back to square one. And I’m trying to you know get back in the top 10.



Anton Gurevich: Could you repeat it for me, please? Male: Sure. He said basically he doesn’t feel like he won the fight against Jon

Jones, and that his last ranking that he saw he wasn’t even in the top 20. So he’s just focused on Keith, and wants to win this fight, and wants to get himself back in the top 10 before he considers looking at a possible run at the title.

Anton Gurevich: All right. Thanks. And another one for Keith. Keith, not to overlook Matt Hamill, but you know

looking back at your recent losses. Is there you know maybe against Bader or Thiago Silva or Quintin Jackson, maybe you would like to have a rematch against one of them in the future?

Keith Jardine: Yes, I’d like to have a rematch with every single one of them. But I’ve got to

earn that, and that’s what this fight’s all about for me. It’s just earning my place and getting a chance to get back at those guys and get back to the top. I hope to fight every single one of those guys.

Anton Gurevich: All right. Thank you, and good luck. Keith Jardine: Thank you. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Joshua Carey. Joshua Carey: Yes, just a single question for Keith. Keith, how beneficial has it been, or was

it, for this camp, with having Rashad, obviously, preparing for Rampage, at the same time that you’re preparing for this camp, and, also, having McSweeney on this card, also in camp preparing? Both of those guys preparing for their own fights. How much did that help push you through your camp?

Keith Jardine: Yes, that’s the great thing about Jackson, is somebody’s always training fight

– for a – for a fight. And not just, you wouldn’t believe it, but Carlos Condit fights at a – at a 170, and he’s been a training partner for me. You know, he’s



about six foot one, and he has done some of the best kick boxing in any weight division. So we always have guys training for fights.

But the main thing is – Rashad, though, is, like I said, I’ve been – me and him

have been butting heads since 2005, and we’re so fiercely competitive and such good friends in our camp that I feel like it’s so invaluable, and that it’s helped me get to where I am right now. And the fact that he is such a good wrestler, and you can see how his wrestling’s even improving the way he looked in his last two fights, that it’s helped me out a whole bunch.

Joshua Carey: OK, great. Thanks, Keith. And best of luck Saturday. Keith Jardine: Thank you. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Steven Morocco. Steven Morocco: Hey, Keith. You seem like a pretty private guy, and I notice that you don’t do

a whole lot of interviews. Are you – are you uncomfortable putting some of your victories and setbacks under the microscope like this?

Keith Jardine: Yes, honestly, I don’t like it much. I don’t think about it much. I don’t like

talking about it much. Right now, I would, if I had my way, I’d be reading a book somewhere and just relaxing and focusing on the fight. So, I just – I just try to be true to myself. I don’t need to put myself out there. I’m not – I’m not a – I’m not really searching for all the fame and all that.

I’m in the fight game just for the love of fighting and for the love of being in

the UFC. So, you’re right, I don’t really seek out a lot of the interviews, and I guess that maybe that works against me a little bit. Maybe I’d be a better-known fighter if I did more stuff. But, like I said, I’m just going to stay true to myself and do what I do. Thanks.

Steven Morocco: Do you – do you find yourself at odds with the sort of promotional machine

sometimes, and you know with your career and stuff? Keith Jardine: No, I won’t say at odds, but the Australians make fun of me, because they

have to pull the interviews out of me. They got to – I’m always trying to –



trying to ditch the guys and all that. Like you know right when you get off the plane that you got to do the UFC.com interview, and I’m always trying to hide from that guy. So they make fun of me a little bit.

But I wouldn’t say at odds, because it’s just part of the job. And that’s not –

it’s not that big of a deal for me. Steven Morocco: Yes. Keith Jardine: I don’t know if I answered your question very well. Steven Morocco: Thanks for … Keith Jardine: I’m kind of rambling. Steven Morocco: No, no, no. No, absolutely. I’m wondering how you sort of characterize the

fight with Matt Hamill. Is it just a chance to really just you know show this – show off this new Keith Jardine, or is it – is it – does it mean something more than that? Is it – is it about you know your body of work, so to speak?

Keith Jardine: Yes. It’s all – I don’t care about my body of work you know for me. Like the

way I look at is, I want to get rid of all my losses, all of my wins. I want to put those behind me, and this is – and I’ve never done that before. And I never started fresh.

And that’s what this is for me. And this is – I feel like I’m in the bottom now,

in a good way, at the bottom now. And I’m back where I started, and I’m going to climb my way back to the top. And that’s what this is all about for me.

It’s not about the guy I’m fighting. It’s not about what people think of me,

about what – about my you know like you said, my history of win/losses. It’s not about any of that. I don’t care about any of that. This is all about me. And I’ll be going out there and having fun fighting. And I’m really excited for this. I’m in a better place than I’ve ever been right now.

Steven Morocco: Thank you. I appreciate it.



Keith Jardine: Thank you. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Brian Hemminger. Brian Hemminger: OK. This question’s for Keith. You were on an episode of the critically

acclaimed “Breaking Bad” this past season. Is there any more acting in your future, or are you focusing on fighting?

Keith Jardine: Yes. Well I love – “Breaking Bad” is my favorite show on TV, so they were

filming in Albuquerque, and I jumped at that opportunity. I’ve always been kind of a movie buff. I like independent films, I like foreign films. So when I get a chance to, I’ll do as much of that as I can. But you’re not going to see me, I don’t know, turning down a fight to be on the “A-Team” or anything like that.

Brian Hemminger: OK. Thanks, Keith. Keith Jardine: Thank you. Operator: There are no further questions at this time. Male: All right. Thanks, Keith and Matt. And Keith is right, “Breaking Bad” is

fantastic. You should all watch it. We’re going to bring on Kris and Court right now. Kris, are you here yet? Kris McCray: Yes, I’m here. Male: OK, cool. Sorry to keep you guys waiting. Kris McCray and Court McGee

will be squaring off in the finals of the "Ultimate Fighter" on Saturday night. I’ll turn it back over to (Kyrie) for the Q&A. Operator: Your first question comes from the line of Justin Merhoff. Justin Merhoff: Hi, Kris. On our site, MMAMelee.com, a couple of the users and some of the

other administrators have been keeping track of the quotes that you had on the



show. Is there any quote that you have that might be good to encompass this fight that you have with Court?

Kris McCray: Untamed and off the chains. Justin Merhoff: That’s awesome. And then, also, for Court and Kris, if you guys could both

answer this. What did it do yesterday when you – how did you guys feel when you found out that you guys are now the main event instead of the co-main event? Did that change your guys’ game plan at all? Did it make you nervous?

Court McGee: No. I don’t – I don’t worry about like where it’s on the card or if it’s the main

event or not. It doesn’t matter regardless. I have to – I have to show up and fight Kris McCray whether it’s at the first of the card or the last of the card. So that definitely doesn’t change the game plan. The game plan is to go out and win, you know. So that’s about that.

Kris McCray: Like, man, that – I thought it was cool when Court told me. He was the first

one to tell me. And I’ve never been on a main event on any card as a professional. But, like Court said you know we both have to go out there and execute, and that’s what it’s about.

Court McGee: Yes. Kris McCray: Yes, so, and that’s what we’re here to do. Justin Merhoff: All right. Thank you, guys. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Ted Gruber. Ted Gruber: Court and Kris, I had a question for you regarding the crowd. I know you

guys fought in TUF with that many people in attendance. Is the crowd going to be affecting you guys while you’re in the octagon, or does that have no reflecting on you when you guys fight?

Court McGee: I’ve fought in a venue with you know about, I don’t know, maybe, 6,500 or

7,500 people. So I’ve fought in a big crowd before. And, I mean, if anything,



you feed off of it a little bit you know when they get excited, and when a punch is landed, or a takedown scored, or something like that.

But, I mean, I guess as soon as I take off my glasses, everything’s real blurry

anyway. So you know other than the noise, you – I usually feed off of it a little bit you know especially if you land something, or something’s landed on me, you know. It’s – I mean, it’s just – yes, it doesn’t bother me.

It’s a little odd fighting in front of 20 people, but, I mean, the pressure is the

same, if not more, because you know three of them people are the most important people you can do well in front of. And you know for whatever reason you know Kris and I both were able to pull it together you know when we needed to. So I don’t feel any different. I think you know if anything, you feed off of it.

You know, this is – this is the – this is the big show, so this is – this is where

we’ve worked, and this is where I’ve worked to get to, you know. I put 4,000 hours to get where I’m at today. So I think it’s great. I mean, I’m loving it.

Ted Gruber: Kris, same question to you. Kris McCray: And you know like Court said you know we both pushed through a lot to get

where we’re at right now. And, I mean, where we’re professional athletes, and you know it’s just – it’s just another fight for us. You know, we’re not going to come in there half-assing it.

You know, this is our deal. And we worked hard, we’ve both lost, we’ve both

been through a lot. You know, we got – it was – nothing hits harder than life and you know we got up from it. And you know we’re still moving forward, and that’s what winners do, I mean, before their finest fight, man.

Court McGee: Yes. Ted Gruber: Good luck to you guys both. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Brian Hemminger.



Brian Hemminger: OK. First question’s for Kris. You mentioned in a “Bloody Elbow” blog that Rich Franklin would be – you said he would be in your corner if he wasn’t too banged up from the Liddell fight. I know he broke his arm. Have you heard from him if he’s going to be in your corner?

Kris McCray: Yes, I called him. He said he’s going to be down and talk to me you know

and try to get me in my corner. And you know so he probably will be there for my fight. Since it’s moving to the main event then we get one more corner man, I’m not really sure. So I can have everybody in there I want for this fight, and we would definitely include have him in there.

Brian Hemminger: Did you feel like he better prepared you for your rematch with Josh Bryant

than Tito did the first time? Kris McCray: Well I just think you know everyone underestimated Josh Bryant a little bit

the first go around, and including me. And Josh is a tough dude, man. I used to tell him, Josh “The Beast” Bryan? There’s no beast in you, you know what I mean? But that dude is a brick, man, and he came to fight. Definitely.

You know, I don’t think Rich did anything different. He’s just kind of you

know made little small adjustments, and you know hooked it up that way. Brian Hemminger: OK. Thanks. And this question’s for both of you. Kris McCray: (Inaudible). Brian Hemminger: You both overcame losses in the first round to make it to the finale. Do

you feel like you’ve redeemed yourself a little bit? Or – I guess that’s about it.

Kris McCray: Me – to redeem myself will be to win the whole thing, you know. That would

be the perfect story for me. I had a – I had a tough road you know as Court did. I came back from the loss, and my team was all arguing, and the coaches quit and, you know. You know, I had to fight my teammates, it was (about my) friend. And you know and Court’s been through a lot, so you know definitely you know it’s cool. It’s just good to be here.



Court McGee: I mean, when you show up, man, you don’t – you don’t always know if you’re going to win or lose. But you know I show – I show up to fight, and I – and I train to fight, and I fight to win. And you know sometimes, man you know if you leave it in the hands of the judges, you know what I mean?

That’s that whole episode was on you know is – and there’s a lot of

controversy that I had won the second round, and it should have went to a third, and some people thought I had won it. And you know I knew I had won one of the rounds, and I thought it was going to a third. And you know you just can’t leave it in the hands of the judges. Like you know Jardine said earlier you know you got to – you got to show up and try and finish.

But, I mean, in the – in the venues that I had fought before, they never – they

never offered you you know $5,000 to finish a fight, or $30,000, or $65,000, you know what I mean? And you come in here and you know you train hard, and you can start doing it you know as a career and full time, and you know you can put a lot more into it.

And you know but I’ve always trained hard. You know, I trained like I was

getting ready to fight Chuck Liddell for my first fight you know and I did that every fight. This fight’s not any more important than the first fight, because the first fight’s where it got me today.

So you know I think coming back from a loss on the show you know it was

another fight. And, I mean, I was giving an opportunity, and you know McCray was given an opportunity. And we both took advantage of it, and didn’t sit and dwell on it. And you know we came back, we fought, we won, and went to the next round you know fought and won, went to the next round, and here we are. So, I mean, if it shows both of us got heart, and skill, and you know we’re definitely going to put on a show for everybody, that’s for sure. So.

Brian Hemminger: OK. Thanks. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Damon Martin.



Damon Martin: Yes. First question is for Court. Court, from what I understand for this camp, you trained out in Utah, but you had also worked a little bit with Chuck Liddell for this camp, is that correct?

Court McGee: Yes, I went out – I went out to – with John Hackleman at The Pit (and then

did) slow kickboxing. Yes, I went and trained with Chuck for his camp. It wasn’t, like, I wasn’t there for his camp, but it was a camp for me and a camp for him. And you know it was – it was good.

I spent you know I spent about a week with Jake Shields, and then I came

back to Utah. It was before he fought Dan Henderson. And that was the start of the camp 10 weeks ago. And then I did two weeks in Utah, and then a week-and-a-half in – at The Pit. And then I came back home for my son’s birthday. And then I went immediately back out there for 18 days, and then the last week-and-a-half in Utah at elevation.

So I had a good mix. And you know I made sure all my flights were on

Sunday, on my rest day, and didn’t miss any practices. And it was – it was good. I couldn’t ask for a better camp.

Damon Martin: Absolutely. Let me ask you … Court McGee: And harder work. Damon Martin: … what did you – what did you think of you know I mean, obviously, through

being a coach on the show, and training with him afterwards, was it tough to watch the fight on Saturday night to see Chuck? I mean, obviously, it seems like that’s going to be the end of him. I just want to get your impressions of that, because he’s a legend, but, obviously, we’re all sad you know to kind of see him go you know go and lose a fight like that. I know we hate to see that.

Court McGee: Well, I mean, regardless, it happened. You know, I don’t like to look at the

bad in everything. Of course, he did get caught, and – at the end of the round, and, I mean, that definitely sucks. But, man you know he came out, he took him down, he landed like four or five hard shots. He threw a kick. And you know I mean, he ended up you know busting Franklin’s arm.



But you know you – I mean you know it is rough to see. But it was pretty impressive and you know if he decides to retire, that’s that. But he definitely doesn’t have anything more to prove. I mean, he’s one of the – one of the guys at the forefront of this sport and you know I mean, he really doesn’t have to prove anything to anybody else.

And you know if he decides to retire, I back him 100 percent. And if he

decides to keep fighting you know if he wants my help, I’m in. But you know I mean, he’s a – he’s definitely – I have a new-found respect for Chuck Liddell, that’s for sure.

Damon Martin: Yes. Court McGee: He’s a quiet, soft-spoken guy, and he helps a lot of people. So you know it

was a bummer to see that happen. You know, that definitely was pretty horrible to see. But that’s part of this sport, man. You know, with them little gloves on, sometimes you get caught, you get caught, man. And you know that, I mean, that’s part of it.

You know, you train all this time, and you – you know, under the assumption

you know that you can catch that guy, or you can get caught. But you know that’s part of it. You know, that’s part of competition.

Damon Martin: Yes. And, Court … Kris McCray: (Inaudible). Damon Martin: … you and Kris both were you know I would say, two of the quieter guys on

the show. I mean, you guys were never involved in any of the you know the shouting matches in the house, and you know and everyone that we’ve spoken to from the show has said you know you were one of the quieter guys, kind of kept to yourself, and just you know stayed to the training.

I mean, does that kind of stand to reason that you guys, the hard workers, the

guys that just kind of kept your nose down and in training, this is the reason why you’re in the finals? I mean, do you feel that that was a factor in why you and Kris are here, as opposed to somebody else?



Court McGee: Well I wasn’t trying to act like anything. I was just, more than anything, I

was just trying to be me. And you know I don’t – I don’t – I’m not the you know that’s probably why I didn’t make it on season seven when I tried out. I’m not the – not the guy that starts fights. I don’t – I don’t get into arguments. And you know if anything, I try and stay out of that stuff.

But you know I just didn’t put myself in a situation. And I made sure you

know I mean, I went there for one reason, man, and that was to fight you know and to win. And to you know bring something to the experience and take something out of it. And you know I was able to do that. You know, and, I mean, I met a lot of good dudes on there, so it was a – it was a positive experience.

Granted, it was not the easiest position to put yourself in, to compete well.

But, I mean, by the end of them six weeks you’re pretty beaten down and broken down, and the only positive thing out of it is you know everybody else in there’s beat down and broken down too. So you know (so other than that).

Damon Martin: Yes. And a – and a question for Kris. Kris, you fought you know five times on the

show. It’s the most anyone’s ever fought in the show’s history. You know, you were a pretty quick finisher in a lot of your early fights in your career.

I mean, do you feel like you know the performances you had on the show,

while they were wins, they were you know they were kind of too far removed from what you actually did in your fights, or what we’re going to see in this fight?

Kris McCray: I thought before you know in my career, I just – I think the level of the

change, man, you see the guys on the show, everybody on the show either lost a fight or got injured, you know what I mean? You know, that competitive and, as Court was saying, everybody came to the fight to win the thing you know and …

Court McGee: Yes.



Kris McCray: … so, yes you know we had fun and everything, but everybody was there for

business. You know, everybody keeps telling me there wasn’t that many pranks in the house …

Court McGee: A lot of good guys, too, man. Kris McCray: Yes. So, I mean … Court McGee: You know … Kris McCray: … we – and the level just stepped up. And then you know I caught that loss,

and then had to just regroup. And you know and just dig down in my training, and just really grind it out, man. It just showed – it showed me and Court’s toughness, and heart, and determination.

And you know I would – I would – I talked to him throughout the house, and

we knew, both, each other knew that we’re grinders, we’re dark horses. But we got heart, and we’re going to be there until we go to the bell. You know, even with that fight with Josh Bryant, I was dead tired, but I kept coming.

Court McGee: Yes. Kris McCray: And kept coming, you know. And then I didn’t give up and choke, so. I

knew what kind of guy Court was you know he’s the silent strong type, kind of like my older brother. And he has his little – he’s funny too at times. You know, he knows when to – when to – when to come in for his punch lines and everything. And I was a bit more loud and everything, but that was cool.

You know, everybody pretty much got along and you know there (was a fight)

in them. You know, that’s what I think (inaudible). Good … Damon Martin: Yes. Kris McCray: … good experience. Damon Martin: And from all the different you know training you had you know going from

Tito to Rich and fighting five times, all that stuff, I mean, now you’ve had



your full camp with Lloyd Irvin and your regular team at home. I mean, do you feel like that’s a you know a big difference in what we’ll see on Saturday night with what you’re going to bring in there?

Kris McCray: I mean, definitely, for Court and I both. You know, on that show, like he said,

it’s tough. You know, you’re fighting every week, and I fought every week. And you know (inaudible) hurt my knee and this and this and that. And we’re going through injuries and stuff, and you know it’s just – it’s rough, rough on your body. And you have to be mentally strong.

You know, and I think you know the you know maybe situations that me and

Court were in – were in before the show helped us prepare for that mental challenge you know on the show.

Court McGee: Yes. Kris McCray: You know, we’ve been through some things you know and we talked about it.

And he’s a good guy, man, you know. I have family up in Utah, and they were digging it. I’m sure I’m going to see him later, and I’m asking for some help or stuff like that, because you know that’s the kind of relationship everybody built on the show. So, you know …

Court McGee: Yes. Kris McCray: … definitely you know I went through my stuff on the show. But you know I

was there for that, you know. I was prepared mentally for any of that stuff to come up. And I think I did a good job. And I know Court did a damn good job too. So, and now it’s both of us, we’re here staring at each other, so.

Court McGee: Yes. Damon Martin: Awesome. Best of luck on Saturday night, guys. Kris McCray: Great. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Elliot Olshansky.



Elliot Olshansky: Hi. Just for starters, Court, if we could go back to the question I wanted to ask before. And the fact that you know in the past the show has been known for a lot of – a lot – a lot of drinking and wild things that happen when people had been. Were you expecting to have more of that around you, and were you expecting you know more of a test in you know in terms of what you’ve had to come back from, from that?

Court McGee: Well I tried to not have any expectations coming on to the show at all. But I

questioned myself seriously before I made it on there when they called and said you made it, you know. I was putting myself in a situation where there would be alcohol. But you know and with my past of the drugs and the alcohol you know I mean, there’s drugs and alcohol everywhere. So you know I mean, it’s nothing for me to go somewhere and get a drink if I want one, you know.

But I got to remember where I came from, and what it was like when I was

drinking and using. I was pretty miserable. So I just you know questioned myself before I come, was I coming here for the right reasons. You know, and you know the answer was yes, man you know I came here to – for the opportunity to better you know take care of my family.

You know, my career of a – or a professional MMA fighter, I was just you

know I was a professional MMA fighter before I came on the show, and this is a huge opportunity to better my career. And so you know I questioned myself, hey you know is this – is – am I putting myself in a dangerous situation? You know, and I didn’t feel I was. You know, I came here to fight and win, not to drink and party or, you know. But you know it’s definitely a little added pressure, you know.

And you know I mean, there’s, I mean, there’s sometimes I think about you

know hey, man you know a drink sounds good. But I know where that takes me if I take a drink. So you know I went in in good spirits, and knew that I wasn’t going there and going to be trying to battle that the whole time. But you know I had a couple years behind me where I haven’t drank you know over – a little over four years.



And so I just you know questioned myself before I went in, and said you know are you going here for the right reasons, you know. And I was, and that was to better my situation with my family. And you know I mean, the payout is that I can better take care of my family. And I actually can spend more time with my son and my wife and my new baby on the way, you know. So, I mean, it’s great. I love it. So, you know.

Kris McCray: Hey, congratulations, Court. Court McGee: Yes, thanks, buddy. Elliot Olshansky: And then for Kris you know a lot’s been made of the fact that both you guys

had lost your first fights. But, in Court’s case, there was you know there was more controversy, there were a lot of people who thought that he should have had the win, or at least a third round, with Nick Ring. Where it was pretty clear that you know what happened the first time you fought Josh. Do you feel like you have any more to prove than he has after having come back, or do you feel like everybody’s on even ground in those terms?

Kris McCray: I think we’re on even ground. You know, I think we proved enough … Court McGee: I agree. Kris McCray: … in the show. You know, we went through a lot. You know, and Court’s a

good guy. I mean, I remember the last thing when everybody went out, I gave Court my wallet, because I was like, look, this is – I know me, and I know you, he’s a strong-willed guy you know he’s determined, and he’s going to – he has my back, you know. Even though we’re fighting each other, I feel like you know I could call him up for anything and I want him to be able to do the same.

And you know everyone has that kind of mentality, man, they were just, they

were there to fight. And that’s what we did. And you know every fight, I think everybody left it out there. You never really saw any quit inside the cage you know and guys were tired or hurt or, you know.



I mean, Rich broke his hand, and he’s still fighting in there until he got the knee. And then you know and even Tavares went in to fight after he got kicked in the face, you know. I mean you know Steffans was apologetic for that, so, definitely …

Court McGee: Yes. Kris McCray: … (inaudible) drive, man. Good dudes, man. Elliot Olshansky: All right. Thanks. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Neil Davidson. Neil Davidson: Yes. Kris, Court told us his training, what he’s been doing leading up to this

fight. Can you tell us where you were training and if you did anything different since leaving the house?

Kris McCray: Yes, definitely. I was at Lloyd Irvin up in Camp Springs, Maryland, closer to

my home, you know. And you know I bounced around a couple places, but you know Lloyd Irvin has a really good system up there, and you know it’s really tough. And you know he really got me in shape, and you know I know he would work on my cardio.

We did everything from you know jujitsu, boxing you know wrestling. He

has cages and (inaudible) he’s bringing guys in, you know. So I definitely – I felt – I felt – I felt good in camp, man. And you know and I felt good to be you know healthy while I’m training, because on the show you know you’re banged up, and you’re still trying to train and push through.

But you know when you’re healthy and you’re training you know you get –

you build confidence. It feels good that you know every day you feel like you’re getting better and better. Because you know some days on the show I just felt like I got through a practice you know and I’m still you know I’m not any worse – my knee wasn’t any worse than it was before, or something like that.



So definitely you know Lloyd Irvin. I feel ready and prepared for Court. And I wouldn’t bring anything less to the table. You know, not saying that you know because he would be disappointed if I didn’t step out there ready to go.

Neil Davidson: And if I can follow up. Saturday’s card has some other members of the

season 11 cast, including Jamie Yager, who is kind of portrayed as the bad guy on the show, or kind of the sandpaper on the show. You guys lived …

Court McGee: I’ll tell you what … Neil Davidson: … in the house with him for those six weeks. Do you think he got a fair

representation on that show? Was he disliked as much … Court McGee: OK. Well, let me – I’ll talk – I’ll say something. But, like you know they

were all part of the minority report or whatever you know and you know Kris was – he was you know a little loud and stuff too, and so was Jamie. But they made Jamie look way, way worse than what he actually was. Way worse.

So, I mean, yes. That’s how I feel about that. Kris McCray: Yes. I mean … Court McGee: They made it – they made it way, way worse than what he really was. Kris McCray: Yes, I think they got him a little bit worse than he was. And, I mean, we were

definitely, I know I was loud, you know. But, for me, it was all in good fun. You know, I never called any …

Court McGee: Yes. Kris McCray: … names or stuff like that. But you know it just you know some guys, man,

they just don’t mesh together, you know. And Yager has a mouth on him, and he’s going to be opinionated, and he’s not going to care what comes out when he feels cornered, because …

Court McGee: Yes.



Kris McCray: … it was past – his past experiences and how he grew up, I mean, which is fine.

And I told everybody on the show, if you – because they always came to me,

hey, what’s up with your boy Yager? What’s up with your boy Yager? I was like, he’ll listen to you you know but if you pull him – if you try you know if you bash him in front of everybody, he’s going to – he’s going to bark – bite back. But if you pull him to the side and talk to him, because he’s a totally different person one-on-one.

But I just think like a lot of people were just gunning for him. And you know

and they rode that story into the sunset, you know. And so, yes, he has a lot to prove, too, and, you know. I – it sucks, but you know he was a bit of an asshole on the show. And that’s my friend, and you know I’ll tell him to his face, but he wasn’t that bad. You know, he didn’t – his shit didn’t stink that bad, you know.

Court McGee: Yes. Neil Davidson: Thank you. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Steven Morocco. Steven Morocco: Hey, Court. I’m wondering if you’ve run across any of the people from the

difficult period in your life, since the show, and, if so, what that was like? I mean, obviously, you’ve reunited with your – with your girlfriend, now your wife, but have you run across anybody from that difficult part of your life, since the show, and what has that been like?

Court McGee: I mean, I have, over the last couple of years. But the majority of the people,

when I was real, real bad, in the last like you know in the last like six months or year you know two or three of them have passed away. Two of them are in prison that I know of. And then the other ones I have no idea you know other than being in and out of jail. Yes, I mean, that’s kind of where I was, was in and out of jail, and you know just on the brink of either being locked up, or institutionalized, or dead, you know.



And so, I mean you know I kind of – I come across one or two guys every once in a while you know and I’ve had the opportunity to come across one of them that actually cleaned up too. I went to a movie with my wife and I saw him. And I knew he was strung out on heroin. And this was you know a couple years ago.

And then, this is after I got back from the show, and I saw him at a movie

theater. I had – took my wife to a movie, and I saw him. And he was real healthy, and he’s getting married. And so you know it’s nice to know that there’s other people that make it out of it. So, but, yes you know you run across people like that.

But the majority of the people that I was – that I was running and gunning

with you know aren’t doing so well, man. And you know it’s hard to see. So, hopefully, they can, you know – you know, see what I’ve done, and maybe get a little inspiration from it, you know. That’s the biggest thing coming into this show, is you know I mean, my career is that of a professional MMA fighter, but my job is to be in a place where I’m of maximum you know service to others, and maximum usefulness to others.

So – if you know coming into this show, and showing that it – that I was given

the opportunity to clean up a little bit you know and change my life. And if it can change just one person you know then this all will be worth it you know regardless the being busted up, or winning or losing, or anything, you know. Even the finale, winning or losing you know I mean, I’ve done everything I can do to ensure that I’ll do you know really well that night. But you know it’ll all have been worth it you know if just one or two people you know decide to make a change and change their life.

Because I have affected a lot of people that are close to me, by cleaning up

you know and I’ve been able to have a relationship with my family, and I have – I have some good friends now. And, I mean, I was stuck in a house with 13 other guys, and I was able to make friends with these guys that I’m supposed to you know fight. So you know if I can make relationships with guys in that situation you know I mean you know it’s definitely positive.



Steven Morocco: Given what you’ve been through, is making it to the finals a victory in itself, or will you not be satisfied until you you know until you win the show?

Court McGee: Well, I mean you know I’m – alls I can do is work at it one day at a time. So

you know after I get done practicing today and do my interviews and stuff you know I’ll be satisfied with today. You know, I’m making sure I show up for today. I don’t like to sit and worry about things that I can’t control, like things you know like winning the finale or losing the finale. I don’t like to think about that.

But I’ve ensured you know through, I mean you know two years ago the

training I did two years ago is paying off today you know or three years ago, or, you know. Just, I mean, it’s a – it’s a victory that I’m just here today in my hotel room you know with the opportunity to fight somebody like Kris McCray. That’s you know I mean, it’s winning, regardless if I win or lose.

But you know I mean, I don’t you know I don’t – I don’t train you know train

to fight and fight to lose, you know. I show up to try and you know I show up to win every time, you know. And sometimes it happens, and sometimes it doesn’t. But you know I’ll let God take care of that. But I’ve done everything I can do you know to show up in shape and healthy.

You know, and just like Kris said, man you know we didn’t – we didn’t fight

four times in the last six weeks now, so our training’s a little different. You know, we’re in a little better shape you know and it – and it should make it for an even better fight than what it would have been in the house. You know, and I think it’s you know I think it’s a win/win situation for anybody who’s fighting in the finale you know getting the opportunity to show up and, so it’s good.

Steven Morocco: Thanks a lot. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Anton Gurevich. Anton Gurevich: Thanks. I have a question for Court. After seeing the outcome of Chuck’s

fight against Rich, did it provide you any special motivation for your fight against Kris?



Court McGee: You know what’s funny, is I thought about that, too. Right after Chuck lost, I

was like you know I had a little bit of animosity, oh, I’m going to avenge his loss. But you know like, yes. I can’t – I can’t think about it that way. You know, that’s kind of like fighting angry or fighting mad, like, you know. If I sit back and think about it you know nothing I do angry ever turns out good.

And so I’m not fighting to avenge Chuck’s loss. I’m not fighting to overcome

drugs. I’m not fighting to you know for the fame or the fortune. I’m fighting because I enjoy fighting. I enjoy the competition.

And you know the payout is that I can better take care of my family. So it

doesn’t give me any more motivation. I’m plenty motivated to do well. And you know I’ve put in the work to do well. And so you know it – all – you know, it is what it is.

You know, it was a bummer that Chuck lost, and it did suck to see that. You

know, I wanted more than anything for him to win. And – but you know in this sport you know there you know guys lose, you get two top level athletes and things happen, man. And you know and especially you know at this level, people train hard and they show up to fight. You know, they don’t just show up just for whatever. You know, you don’t make it this far on accident.

So you know it doesn’t give me a ton more motivation. But you know that’s

kind of where I stand with that. Anton Gurevich: All right. Thank you, and good luck to both of you. Operator: There are no further questions at this time. Male: All right. Thanks, everyone, for joining, especially whoever brought their

vuvuzela. I heard that go off a couple times. Look forward to the fight on Saturday night, guys. Thanks a lot.

Kris McCray: All right. Thank you. Court McGee: OK. All right. Thanks. Bye.



Kris McCray: Bye. Operator: This concludes today’s conference. Thank you for your participation. You

may now disconnect.

END

VIACOM Moderator: Salil Gulati June 16, 2010 1:00 p.m. CTmedia.ufc.tv/media/cms/tuf11conf.pdfVIACOM...

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Transcript of VIACOM Moderator: Salil Gulati June 16, 2010 1:00 p.m. CTmedia.ufc.tv/media/cms/tuf11conf.pdfVIACOM...