UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 1
UFC
Moderator: Jennifer Wenk October 11, 2007
12:00 p.m. CT Operator: Good day and welcome to the UFC conference call.
At this time I would like to turn the call over to Jennifer Wenk, Public Relations Director for
opening remarks and introductions. Please go ahead.
Jennifer Wenk: All right; we had an unusual high number of people ((inaudible)) we've had and patching
through to the call this morning. We do have all the fighters on line for you.
We have middle-weight champion Anderson Sylvia with his manager/translator Ed Soares on the
line as well as his opponent Rich Franklin. We also have Brandon Vera and Tim Sylvia on the
line and Dana White, our UFC President is standing by to host.
So I will turn the call over to Dana now to host our UFC 77 pre-fight media conference call.
Dana White: Good morning everybody. Thank you for calling in today. Appreciate it. We can start with
questions now.
Like she said we have Anderson Sylvia, Rich Franklin, Brandon Vera and Tim Sylvia on the
phone.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 2
Operator: If you'd like to ask a question, you may signal to do so by pressing star one at this time. If you
have called in on a speakerphone, please make sure your mute function is disabled to allow your
signal to reach our equipment. Once again, that is star one and we'll pause for just a few
moments to assemble the queue.
And our first question comes from Jeff Potts with Times Leader.
Jeff Potts: Hey Rich; how you doing buddy?
Rich Franklin: Good; how's it going today?
Jeff Potts: Not bad man. Hey, this is -- this is kind of a two part question and I also want to give the
same question to Anderson as well. Rich, how much have you changed your training from your
first fight with Anderson until now?
Rich Franklin: I actually changed quite a bit. For this fight I took an entire camp out of Cincinnati since
the fight was in Cincinnati. It was very distracting being in my hometown. So we left my
hometown, came out to the mountains, changed some altitude. I brought Matt Hume out to work
with me which is something to an addition as well as the coaches that I've been working with.
And we've made some changes and that's a little bit better.
Jeff Potts: And Rich the final part of that is how much, you know, I've heard you talk a lot of times, you've
said that you are -- that you love to knock people out. You've said before that you were in the
business of knocking people out. But knowing, you know, I imagine you've probably watched a
little bit of the film now and in preparing for the rematch. Can you foresee a situation where you
would want to take this fight to the ground where it -- where it looks like you have probably the
stronger advantage?
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 3
Rich Franklin: We, you know, as far as this fight goes, I mean I'm going to walk out there and start
throwing punches like I always do. And of course I have a game plan but ultimately I'm just going
to take the path of least resistance and if that means keeping it up fine. If we end up on the
ground then that's fine as well.
Jeff Potts: All right, Rich, thanks a lot buddy. Best of luck.
Rich Franklin: Thank you.
Operator: And our next question comes from Franklin McNeil with the Star Ledger.
Franklin McNeil: All right. My question is for Anderson. Anderson, you're coming in having won the fight
but how are you -- are you a different fighter this time? And is there -- if there is any difference,
will you be -- are you a better fighter today than you were then? And if so why?
Edward Soares: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Anderson Sylvia: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Edward Soares: He feels that he's a lot more experienced now than he was when he fought Rich the first
time. He says he doesn't feel that he's necessarily better than anybody but every time he fights
he feels that he trains harder and he gains experience and he's ready to go on October 20th.
Franklin McNeil: And one more question. How does fighting in -- does fighting in Rich's hometown, is
that going to affect him in any way?
Edward Soares: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 4
Anderson Sylvia: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Edward Soares: He said yes, this is a different situation for him and it's also going to be a different
situation for Rich. But both of them being great professionals like they are, they know, he knows
that they're, once they get, you know, once the Octagon door closes they're going to be in there
and there's not going to be much difference. But he says that the fans can expect a phenomenal
fight because I know both of us are well trained and we're going to leave it all in the Octagon on
the 20th.
Franklin McNeil: OK, thanks a lot. Take care Dana.
Operator: Our next question comes from Brett Robinson with Komi Pro Magazine.
Brett Robinson: Question is actually for Dana. In the press release about the closing of PRIDE's office it
was said that former directors of DSE did not cooperate as (Proud) -- PRIDE for a blind. What
director's were they and did it include former President (Takik Bara) and in what way did they not
cooperate?
Dana White: Yes, I don't -- this is about the fight in Cincinnati. I don't want to get into PRIDE shit. If you
have a question for these guys about -- if you want to interview me about all the crap, call me.
You can call my office. Get a hold of Jennifer.
Operator: Our next question comes from ((inaudible)) from (Sportsman).
Male: Hi. A couple questions for Dana. How you doing?
Dana White: Good, how are you?
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 5
Male: Good thanks. In the undercard you've got Yushin Okami fighting Jason McDonald and I believe
they're ranked fourth and fifth in the division. Will the winner get a title shot right away?
Dana White: You know, well there's other guys that are in line there. You know, you've got Anderson,
Rich, you know, we've got Dan Henderson who could possibly move down to 85. You know, I'm
not sure yet. I don't know. But those guys are definitely in the mix.
Male: OK. Ok and you've got two Canadians on the card. (Matt McDonald) and also Caleb Starnes.
What are the chances we see them again when you come to Montreal in the new year? And
while we're at it, has a date been firmed up fourth of January?
Dana White: That date isn't confirmed yet for January. That's what we were shooting for. We don't know
yet but yes, I'm sure we'll have a lot of Canadians on the card when we come to Canada.
Male: OK. OK great, thanks.
Dana White: Thanks.
Operator: As a reminder, that is star one if you would like to ask a question. And we'll now hear from
George Acevedo with Chicago Wassup! Magazine.
George Acevedo: To Dana, given the unpredictable aura of MMA, which bout effect with Sylvia and
Franklin do you think will trade the most note that US banker made on October 20th?
Dana White: Obviously I think the Brandon Vera/Tim Sylvia fight is an awesome fight. Former world
champion Brandon Vera, you know, has been gone for a little while coming back but he's a rising
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 6
star. I like the Alan Belcher/Caleb Starnes fight. Stephan Bonner's always exciting. I don't know.
There's a lot of good fights.
George Acevedo: Thanks a lot Dana.
Dana White: Thank you.
Operator: Again, that is star one if you'd like to ask a question. Next we'll hear from Dave Meltzer with
Yahoo! Sports.
Dave Meltzer: Dana, when it comes to this, the Sylvia/Vera fight, how, I mean do you think that the
winner is in line for a shot with Couture because just the way the schedule fits in with other
people it looks like they may be a strong possibility.
Dana White: I mean, if you look at, you know, who our top heavy-weights are in that division, you know,
Tim Sylvia -- Tim Sylvia is the former world champion, just lost to Couture. You know obviously,
(Nogara) is in the mix, too. You know, he's probably, you know, arguably you could argue over
who the top three are. But yes, Sylvia and Vera are definitely right there in the mix.
Dave Meltzer: I just thought that with (Nogara's) schedule, next scheduled fight that the timing may not
be right whereas these guys, you know, whoever wins here, you know, probably would have
adequate rest time for a, you know, fight if it's going to be February or so.
Dana White: Yes. Yes, I don't disagree with that.
Dave Meltzer: OK.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 7
Dana White: You never know man. I don't know but these guys are all in the mix. You know, the winner
of the Brandon Vera/Tim Sylvia fight, then you could argue over who the top three are. You
know, obviously Couture's number one and then is it (Nogara) or is it Sylvia or Vera?
Dave Meltzer: OK. All right, thank you.
Dana White: Thanks buddy.
Operator: And next we'll hear from Elias Cepeda with Inside Fighting.
Elias Cepeda: Hello, I have a question for Anderson Sylvia, or a couple questions if I can. First, just for
folks out there that might be, you know, wondering if there's a risk of you dismissing Rich Franklin
in this rematch because you were able to beat him relatively fast in the first time, what would you
tell them as to, you know, why you're not, you know, just taking him for granted. Because I'm
assuming you're not and I'm assuming you're training hard. That's what you've been saying. So
why wouldn't you be overconfident going into this fight?
Edward Soares: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Anderson Sylvia: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Edward Soares: He said that, you know, he's confident going into this fight but he's always confident
going into every fight. But, you know, he never underestimates any opponent, especially Rich
Franklin. Everybody knows that Rich Franklin, when he goes in there he goes in there to bang.
And that he's been training really hard and, you know, his biggest motivator has been to put on a
good show for the fans and to, you know, and all of his success. You know, he owes a lot to the
UFC for, you know, making him who he is. And he feels that he owes it to the UFC and to all the
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 8
fans around the world that buy this fight to put on the best fight. And that's what keeps him
motivated and focused on things.
Elias Cepeda: Well, I -- thank you. I also wonder if Anderson maybe has a sense that Rich Franklin is
like the, for lack of a better term, like the desired middle-weight champion. He's so well-known.
He was so dominating when he was a champion. And, you know, take for example the fact that
they're rematching so relatively soon.
The first fight was really decisive. Franklin has had two fights since then and his last fight wasn't,
you know, particularly dominating and yet it was, you know, it was assumed that he'd be getting
another shot of, at Anderson should he win. Anyhow, does Anderson feel that maybe there's a
sense out there that people want Franklin to be the champion again? And what does that do for
his motivation?
Edward Soares: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Anderson Sylvia: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Edward Soares: He said that he doesn't really feel that, you know, bad at all. He's very motivated and
training very hard for this fight. And he's not taking this fight as like a rematch. He's taking this
fight like as if it was the first time they fought again. This is, he feels that this is a very important
fight for himself as it is for Rich Franklin. And he just is focused in guaranteeing that it's going to
be the fight of the night if not the year.
Elias Cepeda: Thank you, Ed. Thank you, Anderson.
Operator: And we'll hear again from Jeff Potts with Times Leader.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 9
Jeff Potts: Yes, this is actually two questions. One is for Dana. Dana, first off how are you sir?
Dana White: Good, how are you?
Jeff Potts: Can't complain at all. Kind of getting excited for UFC 77. I was there in Columbus back in
March with probably roughly 20,000 people just absolutely going ballistic for lack of a better term.
What type of a crowd reaction do you think will you expect on October 20th at Cinci?
Dana White: The same. I mean obviously we're in the same state and this one sold out. So it's going to
be -- it's going to be a good show.
Jeff Potts: Cool. I got a question for Tim if he's there.
Tim Sylvia: Yes.
Jeff Potts: Tim what's up buddy?
Tim Sylvia: What's going on?
Jeff Potts: Nothing man.
Tim Sylvia: I thought you all forgot about me.
Jeff Potts: No, not at all. Hey I just wanted to see, you know, check on how you were feeling. If I
remember reading correctly you had surgery after your fight with Randy in March?
Tim Sylvia: Yes.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 10
Jeff Potts: I just, curious to see how you were feeling and what the health-wise is.
Tim Sylvia: Obviously I'm feeling great because if I wasn't I wouldn't be taking this fight because, you
know, Brandon's a tough guy. Surgery went awesome. As soon as I came out of anesthesia I
jumped out of bed. The nurse told me to settle down. I couldn't because the pain was all gone.
So I'm feeling great. Training's going awesome. I'm excited for this fight. It's going to be a -- it's
going to be a real exciting fight. You guys like your standing bang so someone's going to sleep.
Jeff Potts: Well man, hey, welcome back Tim. We missed you buddy.
Tim Sylvia: Thanks man.
Operator: We'll take our next question for Jay Morrison with the Hamilton Journal.
Jay Morrison: Yes, hi Rich. I was just wondering if you could let us know where specifically you were
training out in the mountains and also how to address whether it was difficult or refreshing to be
away from -- away from home that long.
Edward Soares: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Dana White: Hello?
Jay Morrison: Is Rich still there?
Dana White: Rich you there?
Jennifer Wenk: Rich, are you still on the line?
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 11
Jay Morrison: Yes, is Rich still there?
Dana White: Rich.
Operator: Pardon the interruption, Rich is still on line.
Jennifer Wenk: Okay.
Dana White: Rich, did you hear the question?
Rich Franklin: Yes, are you there?
Jay Morrison: Yes.
Dana White: Yes, can you hear me?
Rich Franklin: What was the question again? I lost you.
Jay Morrison: Yes, OK. I was wondering if you could let us know where specifically you went in the
mountains to train and if it was more difficult or refreshing to be away from home that long.
Rich Franklin: Yes, we (Werchter Jale's) also on the card and the student of his, one of the gentleman
that trains his school has a hotel out in ((inaudible)) so we were able to come out to Wyoming and
train for relatively low cost. And we left Cincinnati for three weeks. It's been both refreshing to
get of the city because I'm not in the middle of the city with all the distractions. There's a lot of
local media and things that were taking up my time.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 12
But being out here in Wyoming where it's a small town and I'll tell you what, honestly there is not
anything to do out here but train. So, you know, we basically train each week and then train
again. And we're very focused.
Jay Morrison: How many hours a day would you say you were training?
Rich Franklin: You know, I mean maybe somewhere between four and five and of course we have a
couple days of the week off and what not. It's basically a similar training regimen that I would do
at home. Things have changed slightly but no more, no less time than I would do for any other
fight.
Jay Morrison: All right. Appreciate it. Best of luck on the 20th.
Rich Franklin: Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from Carlos Arias with the Orange County.
Carlos Arias: Brandon?
Brandon Vera: Yes sir.
Carlos Arias: Brandon, could you talk about what it's like to be married to another fighter who also has
been on a reality show. And what's that like having your wife go out there in the ring and fight,
too?
Brandon Vera: You want me to answer this Dana, or should I have him call me later?
Jennifer Wenk: No that's OK. Go ahead and answer.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 13
Brandon Vera: Man, being married to a fighter is pretty cool. I mean we get to get up and we run
together in the morning. We both have the same mentality about training and leaving each other
alone when we're training. So it's, it makes my life real easy. Training's easy, my life is easy at
home, we both understand each other. And man, that's all I can really say about being married to
another fighter. It's easy.
The hardest part is getting, is watching her get in the ring. She's hot man. I don't like watching
her get hit.
Carlos Arias: Can you talk about how you guys met also?
Brandon Vera: We were at the gym and I hear somebody beating on a beat bag and I just looked up
because I'd never been to a boxing gym before and I heard somebody beating on this beat bag
beating the hell out of it and I was like whoa, who's that. And I looked up and it was her. She
was just sitting there banging away on a bag. So three days later I asked her out on a date and
ever since then it's been a wrap. We've been together ever since.
Carlos Arias: Thanks a lot Brandon.
Brandon Vera: What happened?
Operator: Our next question comes from Dan Stupp with Dayton Daily News.
Dan Stupp: Dana, can you confirm that the UFC will be returning to Columbus in March and if so might
we see Rich Franklin headline the event if he gets his belt back?
Dana White: We will be back in March and I don't know what the card will be. I have no idea.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 14
Dan Stupp: OK. And did you say UFC 77 is a sellout?
Dana White: Yes.
Dan Stupp: OK. Thanks.
Operator: As a reminder that is star one if you'd like to ask a question. Next we'll hear from Doug Jeffrey
with Ultimate Grappling.
Doug Jeffrey: Hey Tim. I've got a question for you about your knee. How is the health and how is that
doing?
Tim Sylvia: I never had a problem with the knee so that's good. Back is good too though. I know that
was an injury I had. And health's great.
Doug Jeffrey: OK. I thought at the militage camp that you were doing some work on the knee between
the rounds?
Tim Sylvia: No.
Doug Jeffrey: OK.
Tim Sylvia: Maybe traction. I don't know.
Doug Jeffrey: OK. Next question. What impact if any will Brandon's time away from the Octagon mean
to you?
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 15
Tim Sylvia: I don't -- I think Brandon is the kind of fighter where I don't think it's going to affect him. You
know, he's young, you know, he's in the gym a lot. He goes his own gym I think and, you know,
his wife trains so, you know, he's always around the gym. I mean I don't know how the
competition, you know, not being in competition for a year. I don't know if it's going to affect him
that bad. You know, somebody at an older age maybe but I think he's going to be fine with it.
Doug Jeffrey: OK, good deal. Thank you. And Brandon, the same question. What about you? What
are your thoughts about being away for so long?
Brandon Vera: Being away for so long sucked. I didn't like it. But, you know, I have been training the
whole time. It's not like I pulled a retirement for a year and hung out and kicked it. I've been
training. I went to Thailand, went to the Philippines, worked on my hands with some boxers out
there. Working with a lot of different co-boxers. Just training.
You know, just, I just kept myself motivated and it's pretty easy motivated wanting to get back in
the big show to train everyday. So it wasn't a problem at all. I was still doing two a day the whole
time.
Doug Jeffrey: OK, good deal. Thank you.
Brandon Vera: Thanks.
Operator: And we'll hear from Brett Robinson with (Call Me Pro Magazine).
Brett Robinson: Actually my question was just asked. I was wanting to ask Brandon what the time away
from the Octagon taught him as a fighter.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 16
Brandon Vera: It taught me to pay attention a lot more to details. The both business side of the fight
game and the fighting side of the fight game. Pay attention more to details. I got to sit back and
watch a lot of the fights. I wasn't actively fighting. So I just got to pick and choose and start
picking up some more techniques that I like and that I didn't like. Some things that I need to
change in my game. So the time away was good I think. I don't know, we'll find out on 77.
Brett Robinson: Thanks.
Operator: Again, that is star one if you'd like to ask a question. We'll hear from Elias Cepeda with Inside
Fighting.
Elias Cepeda: Thank you. I have a question too for Rich Franklin. Rich, I wanted to ask you to go into
your sense of urgency. I mean even after the fight a year ago you had a pretty bad nose injury. I
was talking to you before your next fight afterward. You really seemed to want to get back into
action very fast and certainly it seems like you wanted to get back to title contention real fast as
well.
I was wondering why in particular that is. Is it -- is it something you see in the match-up with
Sylvia that you really feel that you can do a lot better with the next time around? Is it that you just
want to get the belt back? Or is it just simple economics, that this is the biggest fight out there for
you, they'll give it to you, you're obviously not scared of anyone so you'll take it.
Rich Franklin: Well, you know, I think honestly in every interview I've done prior to this I've always said
that if UFC wanted me to have three or four fights before they give me a rematch for the title that
would be fine. If they wanted to put me back in the title rematch right away that would be fine as
well.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 17
And as far as I'm concerned, you know, this fight wouldn't matter whether it was -- it was for a belt
or not. Anderson right now is number one in the weight class and obviously you always want to
look to fight some of the best ((inaudible)). So I'm aiming for the best. And for defeating me the
way that he did, I think that you know I'd definitely like to get back in the ring not just to prove
something. That's not my motivation, but just to try to set things straight in my own mind.
Elias Cepeda: Thank you. You surprise a lot of people afterwards by, and I'm really paraphrasing you
here, but saying that you were surprised by how strong he was in the clinch. Did you -- did you
not study him closely enough if you feel in retrospect and do you feel you have a better grasp on
his style and his abilities this time around?
Rich Franklin: Yes, I do believe so. I think that in the initial fight at the time I believed that I put the
amount of time in that I should've to study him and I didn't. So we've done a lot better job this
time breaking down film and everything. And I believe that that's ((inaudible)).
Elias Cepeda: Thanks. I had a quick question for Tim also if you get a chance. Tim, do you think that
the experience, your experience at the championship level may be a big advantage for you
against Vera?
Tim Sylvia: I think it will be an advantage, yes. I don't know how big it will be. We won't know until the
20th but I think it's going to help definitely.
Elias Cepeda: Cool. Well thank you Tim and Rich.
Operator: And we'll now hear from Thomas Jerbasi with UFC.com.
Thomas Jerbasi: Hey Rich. You know you've dealt with a lot of media obligations throughout your career
since becoming a champion. Why was it so important for you to get away out of town as opposed
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 18
to just maybe, you know, taking the phone off the hook and locking the gym doors? Why'd you
need to get out of town for this one?
Rich Franklin: Well the thing is the amount of PR work that I had to do for Columbus was a lot in
comparison to something that I would do when I was fighting in Vegas. And the difference is that
even in Columbus I'm still an hour and a half away from that city. And here everything is in my
backyard. So even if I -- even if I don't pick up the phone and stuff like that, I still have media
outlets showing up to workouts and fans coming in and stopping by and things like that. And all
that stuff becomes a distraction so. It's just, it's easier to get out of town and shut it all down than
it is to be there.
Thomas Jerbasi: OK. Have you found that having all that stuff around has affected your performances in
the past?
Rich Franklin: Well, not necessarily but my concern was that that kind of stuff, that it would have a much
larger impact because it would be at such a higher volume. And I just didn't want to run into that
in the last three weeks of my training. It was easier just to get out of town and make sure that I
stayed focused rather than be distracted by what could've potentially been a lot -- a 3lot more
than any fight in the past.
Thomas Jerbasi: All right. All right. Now Rich, what's your breakdown of Anderson these last two fights
with Luder and (Markwart) and obviously without giving anything away. Did you see things in
those fights that you could capitalize on next week?
Rich Franklin: Well, you know, I think that Luder's a great ground guy and I think that Sylvia showed
some resilience on the ground. A lot of people might think that his ground game is his weakness
but that's not necessarily so. So I think that watching the Sylvia, or watching the Luder fight
obviously showed that he's definitely versatile in all aspects of the fight game.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 19
And with the (Markwart) fight honestly I took a lot away from that just with you know the switch
that he hit and again with his ground game and everything. The poise and everything that he
showed. So I mean you -- when you watch fights like that, you're not only looking for the
mistakes that somebody makes but you're also looking for the things that they do well.
Thomas Jerbasi: Right, right. Rich, I'll end it with this. I know the results of the first fight had to come as
a shock. What was the morning after that fight like for you?
Rich Franklin: I had a really sore nose. Well, you know, I mean, you just sit, honestly, you just sit after
the fight and I did a lot of staring out the window wondering where I went wrong and what
happened and why. And you keep asking yourself why and why and why. And you could do that
for days and days upon end and really you just come to the same conclusion you came to before
you even thought of the question anyway which is pretty much nothing.
Thomas Jerbasi: Right, right. Best of luck next week Rich, thanks.
Rich Franklin: Thank you.
Operator: And that is star one if you'd like to ask a question. We'll hear from Jeff Potts with Times
Leader.
Jeff Potts: Hey Rich, I've got two final questions for you. Number one, how much of an adrenaline rush
are you going to get. Because I know when I talked to you after UFC 68 in Columbus you said
the adrenaline was unbelievable when you walked out. I mean how much of an adrenaline rush
is it going to be walking out in your home city?
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 20
Rich Franklin: Yes, I don't know. I can't predict how I'm going to feel in the future so we'll just have to
wait until that time arrives. I would imagine that the fans are going to be pumped up and all that
kind of stuff. So, you know, regardless of whether -- regardless of whether I have a ton of fans in
the audience, as of 68 it was just the energy that was in the -- in the air. The fact that ever seat
was full before the first prelim began is the feeling that creates all that adrenaline rush. So I
don't know. I can't answer how I'm going to feel the night of the fight.
Jeff Potts: And last question is, the training at the (audits), I mean you're known as being one of the most
well-conditioned guys in the UFC itself. I mean how much -- how much better shape I guess are
you going to be in having trained at the altitude in Wyoming. And also, do you have the black eye
yet?
Rich Franklin: No, I don't -- I don't have the black eye. I did get my lip busted open so maybe I'll come in
with a busted open lip instead this time. But no, you know I don't know. It'd be -- honestly the
first couple -- I felt like I was in good shape when I arrived in the work altitude here. And I, really
it doesn't matter what kind of shape you're in. You come to something like this, your body's not
prepared for it. So we'll see.
This is first time I've actually left for an extended period of time in training some altitude. I've
been in Salt Lake several times training with Jeremy Horn but, you know, the altitude is still about
3000 feet lower than here in Wyoming. So we'll see how that affects me in a fight.
Jeff Potts: All right, buddy. Thanks a lot. Best of luck on the 20th.
Rich Franklin: Thank you.
Operator: As a final reminder, that is star one if you'd like to ask a question and we'll pause for just a few
moments.
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 21
Next we'll hear from Dan Stupp with Dayton Daily News.
Dan Stupp: Tim, I've got a question for you. If you win next weekend, do you feel you deserve a title shot
and do you plan to ask for one?
Tim Sylvia: No, I mean, that's in the UFC's cards. I don't know if an awful lot of you know it or not but
Randy got injured ((inaudible)) fight, got a broken arm. So, you know, he's still sidelined from
that. So, I, you know, if I win, I don't want to sit around and wait for Randy to heal up. I want to
get another fight as soon as possible, as early, you know, as early as 2008. Win or lose, you
know, as long as I come out healthy I want to fight in the earliest 2008.
Dan Stupp: OK. Thank you.
Operator: We'll hear from Doug Jeffrey with Ultimate Grappling.
Doug Jeffrey: Brandon, what does Tim's size, what kind of problems does Tim's size create for you?
Brandon Vera: Man, we call those big problems. We call those six foot eight problems. Tim's a big
dude. I didn't think that the size would be a big problem until we imported all these guys in that
were six eight and we started sparring and training. The timing and range is definitely different so
I'm glad my coach is all to that because my heart hit a dead, would've just been like, no we'll just
use our regular sparring partners.
But it's definitely a big, big problem. Something we hope will be rectified. We've been training
real hard with big guys everyday. I have big guys beating up on me everyday so I mean we'll see
-- we'll see how I adjust to it in the ring. I'm the smallest heavy-weight in the division. Tim's
UFC Moderator: Jennifer Wenk
10-11-07/12:00 p.m. CT Confirmation # 6651604
Page 22
definitely the biggest heavy-weight in the division. It's going to be an interesting fight man. I'm
excited and we've been preparing well for it so let's see what happens.
Doug Jeffrey: OK and Tim, what is your biggest concern about Brandon?
Tim Sylvia: I don't know if I have a big concern. I mean there's a lot of concerns. I mean, he's young,
he's light, he's fast. And you know his standups good, man. He's got really good standup. And I
mean he's got good ground too. I mean he submitted, you know, (Arswelio), and, you know, I
fought him for three five minute rounds. So I don't know.
I mean he's got a lot of good, you know, assets out there so. I just, you know, I'm ready for a
tough fight. I really think it's going to be a tough one and, you know, hopefully it doesn't go three
rounds. I don't like going to the division. So he brings it, I bring it, someone going to get knocked
out.
Doug Jeffrey: Good deal, thank you.
Jennifer Wenk: Operator, if we could have -- ask for final questions at this time.
Operator: Star one again as a reminder if you'd like to ask a question. And there are no further questions
at this time. I'll turn the call back to you Ms. Wenk.
Jennifer Wenk: Perfect. Thank you very much everybody for calling in. This concludes our media
conference call for UFC 77. Thanks again and I'll turn it over to Dana to say closing remarks.
Dana White: That's it. Thank you everybody. Thank you guys. I appreciate taking the time out of your
training and I'll see you next weekend.
Top Related