EliteXC Conference Call Notes From 5/15 Call
Conference Call Summary (Gary Shaw, Scott Smith, Phil Baroni, Robbie Lawler, & Joey Villasenor)
By Brian DeSantis (Ramma - MMANews.com)
The conference opened up with Gary Shaw thanking everyone for coming. Robbie was unavailable for the beginning of the call, but would be joining in later.
Scott Smith on mixed martial arts being on CBS:
He said that people don’t always want to buy events on PPV. People will get it free on television, which will bring new fans and he is honored to be a part of the card.
On Preparation for Lawler:
Scott was training with Tito Ortiz on Big Bear for a couple weeks. Tito was helping him with his wrestling and Smith was helping Tito with his standup for Machida. Scott is working with his traditional Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach. He believes a quick fight favors no one, but a long fight favors Lawler. Smith would later state that it will be a huge win for him and he claimed: “I would hand pick Robbie Lawler… this is a huge opportunity for me.”
Gary Shaw breaks in and tells Scott he has a better promoter than Tito.
On how Smith sees the fight going...
He believes it will be a stand up fight, but Lawler will try to take it to the ground eventually. Smith stated that his wrestling and ground game is underrated. He predicts someone is going to get knocked out.
On Lawler’s ring rust…
Smith believes Robbie will have some for sure. Smith went on to say that taking a six month break can make one feel like he is fighting for the first time again.
On fighting on primetime…
He never thought he would fight on the first primetime MMA event. Smith claimed that fighting for a title on network television is a dream come true.
On his overall game against Robbie…
Standing up is Smith’s preference, but he has done enough ground work to be comfortable and loves doing that aspect of the fight game. He feels no pressure in standing with Lawler and believes the pressure is on Robbie. Smith stated that he is the underdog with nothing to lose. If he gets rocked, he has no problem taking it to the ground.
Gary Shaw was asked about Kimbo in boxing…
Gary stated that his concentration is on keeping Kimbo in the cage and making him a star, which Shaw believes Kimbo already is just that. “Would I like him to be in the boxing ring someday? Yes.” Shaw claimed. However, the focus is on MMA.
Smith is asked about the power that he and Lawler have…
Lawler will be one of the hardest hitting opponents Smith has ever faced, but believes he [Smith] is the harder hitter.
On decision victories…
In a fight with Patrick Cote, Smith went to a decision which he claimed “made him sick to his stomach.” Scott wants to finish fights. He was the power to finish and can knock anyone out.
On not being the main event…
“Kimbo is a huge name… I am honored to be on the same card with him. I would rather be the [second to last fight than not be on a card with Kimbo],” stated Smith.
On getting a fast title shot…
“I was pretty surprised and honored at the same time… I thought I was a couple wins away. [Kyle Noke] was a top contender and I took him out.” Smith went on to say that Joey Villasenor might have gotten a shot, had he already not lost to Lawler back in PRIDE.
On going from the UFC to EliteXC…
Smith believes it was a mutual thing, but “they ended up letting me go… I was coming off two losses.” Smith was offered a contract very soon after his release.
Gary Shaw says to Scott Smith to let Tito Ortiz know that his door is open, and Scott remarks that Tito knows that. “We treat every fighter… like champions,” Shaw remarked.
Gary Shaw is asked about under card fighters worth watching…
The entire card is worth watching, according to Shaw. Elite XC presents good, exciting fights that aren’t mismatches. Shaw went on to say that Smith would not be challenging Lawler for the title if they felt he wasn’t a good contender. Gary believes all the prelimary fighters are future T.V. stars.
Shaw on the UFC…
Shaw believes no one can be bigger than Dana White, whereas everyone is bigger than Shaw, because it is about the atheletes. “We let Nick Diaz fight [Takanori] Gomi” when Gomi was in PRIDE. Shaw said if there was an opportunity for Smith, he’d let him take it.
Shaw on building MMA…
Gary is focused on building the sport, not the brand. Without the sport, the brand won’t last is Shaw’s belief.
Shaw on MMA rankings…
“Rankings are flawed… the UFC has fine fighters… [but] rankings aren’t what they should be.” Shaw believes that until UFC offers up their fighters to fight Elite XC fighters, they will always be flawed. “I don’t go by rankings” Shaw added.
Shaw on boxing and MMA.
According to Shaw, “boxing continually kills itself” by having old fighters with boring fights. MMA has young fighters like Scott Smith who “lit it up” and “fans want to see.” Mixed Martial arts is a lifestyle and boxing is not. Shaw also stated that a loss in boxing is catastrophic and it isn’t that way in MMA. Additionally, Shaw called MMA addicting and claimed he wasn’t sure if he would be a fan at first, but it completely changed when he saw how deep the talent pool was and how exciting it was. Shaw believes being on CBS is the biggest step for MMA and it is something boxing could never do.
Shaw on Kimbo vs. Tyson and Kimbo vs. Butterbean.
“I have had no discussions with Mike,” claimed Shaw. “[But] I would make that fight in a heart beat.”
“Anything is possible right now,” claimed Shaw, but went on to state that Butterbean is not on their radar. Shaw wants Kimbo to fight mixed martial artists, but did say that Kimbo could knock butterbean out.
Shaw on Kimbo…
The small out of fights Kimbo has shouldn’t matter and people should be supporting Kimbo. No one cared when Tyson beat nobodies and people still called him the best fighter. Kimbo is in awe of what is happening to him and “he doesn’t walk around like he is some big kick ass star… He is a special type of person… Give the man credit.”
Shaw on Tito…
“Every time I see Tito Ortiz, he wreaks of stardom… he is a very talented fighter.” Shaw later mentioned how amazing a fight between Tito and Kimbo would be.
At this point, Phil Baroni and Joey Villasenor join the phone call. Soon after, Phil Baroni goes on the attack. Here are some quotes:
Baroni: “Smokin’ Joe Burrito is getting knocked the fuck out.”
Villasenor: “I am not going to talk trash, ya know? I respect Phil… He says he doesn’t get knocked out and we are just going to have to test it out.”
Baroni: “I am focused on him and shutting his mouth”
Villasenor to Baroni: “You’ve been exposed for a while… [I am going to] expose you in front of everybody.”
Baroni: “It is guaran-damn-teed that you are going to get knocked out, kid… You know what’s coming... I am going to smash you... You are going to get hurt real bad… Your best ain’t going to be good enough... We’ll send you back to New Mexico”
Joey: “You are getting me more excited for this… thanks for the motivation.”
Baroni " “Hey, you’re welcome buddy.”
The above is just a fraction of what was said.
Baroni on a rematch with Frank Shamrock
“Of course, I think about it everyday… Everybody watched the Cung Le fight… I can’t believe I lost to this bum… When Frank gets better, he’s next.”
Baroni on his ground game…
“It fucking blows… Who cares about the ground game… Nobody wants to watch that shit,” stated Baroni.
Villasenor adds: “Phil is right, his ground game does suck… I hope he doesn’t go down for a shot… I’ll have to choke him out like Shamrock did.”
“Joe can’t take me down and Joe can’t wrestle. It ain’t going to the ground.”
Robbie Lawler joins the call and briefly talking about being sick and injuried. He later stated that he is not concerned with ring rust. Lawler is training hard, in shape, and ready to go.
Baroni on changing his training due to Murilo Rua pulling out of the fight…
Phil trains the same for everyone. “What you see is what you get… Joey can run but he can’t hide.” Baroni claims that Villasenor is going to run and he will be sure to bring his running shoes. Villasenor says that Baroni will try to make him pay for Baroni’s last two losses.
Villasenor claims he isn’t concerned about fighting on short noticed.
Shaw on co-promotion with DREAM…
Shaw claims there are no negotiations, but fights like Nick Diaz have been loaned to DREAM. Gary says he will let his fighters fight anyone and anywhere. He will co-promote because it is what the sport needs.
Baroni interjects says he will hold him that because he has two scores to settle.
Lawler on his game plan…
Robbie wants to get hit as little as possible and is training hard for the fight.
Lawler on MMA going primetime…
Robbie believes it is “awesome for the sport.” He doesn’t care about being on TV, he cares about sponsorships and gaining some money.
Phil chimes in stating that guys like him and Robbie have been fighting for a long time and that it is great to be on CBS, but “I didn’t get into fighting to be a rock star… It doesn’t matter to real fighters about fighting on CBS... Fighters fight... We ain’t movie stars... I signed [the EliteXC contract] because I wanted to fight.”
Shaw on signing Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko…
Gary would “love to put it on… sometimes deals can’t be made because people are not realistic… when Fedor wants to fight just anybody for two million dollars, that ain’t realistic… I would absolutely love to put the fight on… I would be more than happy to sit down and talk to Randy [when he is free to talk]… but make sure someone tells Tito my door is open.”
All of the fighters are asked about fighting for EliteXC treatment and UFC roster cuts…
All fighters answer back positive on EliteXC's treatment of them, but Lawler adds, “live with [getting cut from the UFC]… I don’t feel sorry for anyone… Go to work and get better.”
Baroni agreed, “start winning fucking fights.”
Lawler about possibly being in his prime…
Robbie believes more than anything that he is “just mentally prepared.” He is ready to go five rounds.
Scott on the fight with Robbie…
Smith is ready to fight, whether it be standing, stuffing takedowns, or doing jiu-jitsu.
Closing Comments from everyone…
Robbie Lawler is training hard and ready to go on May 31st. He has a great team (H.I.T.) with a new facility.
Joey Villasenor is very excited and looking forward to a war.
Phil Baroni is happy to get home after fighting all over the place (in reference to fighting so close to New York). “Now we are coming to my house… I am not going to be denied.”
Scott Smith " believes it will be an historic event and EliteXC could not have done a better job. If he wasn’t on it, he’d be watching it at home.
Gary Shaw thinks it will be a great day for mixed martial arts.
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