Koshceck

By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship hosted a press conference at New York City’s Beacon Theatre this afternoon, just two days removed from the promotion’s latest FOX card, which will be hosted by East Rutherford’s IZOD Center Saturday.

In attendance were UFC President Dana White, main event competitors Jim Miller and Nate Diaz, as well as main card participants Pat Barry, Lavar Johnson, Josh Koscheck, Johny Hendricks, Rousimar Palhares and Alan Belcher.

Here were some of the highlights from today’s press conference.

-When asked to comment on the recent fight between Rashad Evans and light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones, which the individual asking stated “sucked”, White acknowledged that the bout wasn’t action packed.

-Koscheck relayed that jeers from fans and “couch potatoes” doesn’t bother him, before encouraging his critics to “keep booing him.” The outspoken fighter added shortly after that fans will be cheering for him after he “knock(s) out” opponent Hendricks.

-White said that they will wait and see who wins between Miller and Diaz, as to what might happen in terms of a title shot. White cautioned though that due to the summer rematch between champion Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar, the wait time for a title shot could be approximately nine months.

-The UFC President also added that “I don’t know” and “we’ll see what happens” when asked if the winner of Palhares and Belcher might receive a shot at the middleweight belt.

-White said “it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when” when asked to comment on whether he believes MMA will be sanctioned in New York State.

-Diaz credited his brother Nick for the guidance and knowledge he’s passed on to him but added that “we’re different fighters.”

-When Diaz was asked “how annoyed are you right now”, in terms of having to attend the press conference, the lightweight contender acknowledged that his feelings regarding the media depend on his mood.

-Lavar Johnson said that he is “blessed” to be competing after the heavyweight survived a well documented shooting in 2009.

-Barry related that his training camp for Saturday’s bout with Johnson went “excellent” at the Death Clutch facility in Minnesota and that he’s been working a lot on his wrestling and jiu-jitsu.

-White said that “it’s going to be a while” before Jones could move up to heavyweight, adding that the fighter still has to face contender Dan Henderson at light-heavyweight.

-Miller said he’s “comfortable” anywhere when asked what he will do if he can’t get the noted boxer Diaz to the mat.

-Barry quickly shot down a fan’s notion that he appeared more focused heading into his bout with Cheick Kongo, and insisted that he’s more than ready to fight Johnson Saturday night.

-White said that the promotion will be holding another “Fight for the Troops” event in 2012 and that it will take place soon.

-When asked by a fan how he was feeling heading into Saturday’s fight with Palhares, Belcher said that he’s feeling “good”, before adding that he was disappointed in the media that none of them in attendance had asked him a question. Belcher added that he believes he’s one of the world’s best middleweights.

-White said that all of the main card bouts Saturday “mean something” and that they have important rankings implications tied to them.

-The UFC President relayed that a fan expo will likely accompany the UFC’s first event in New York City.

-When asked if the comeback format that accompanied the fourth season of “The Ultimate Fighter” was a possibility in the future, White acknowledged that it is.