FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
From Wednesday, June 20, 2007The Grill at HP Pavilion; San Jose, CA
Shamrock vs. Baroni Is OnVillasenor Faces “Ninja” RuaFriday, June 22, 2007 At 10 pm ET (7 pm PT)Live On Showtime PPVFrom HP PavilionWatch The Undercard Free On ProElite.com at 7:30 ET (4:30 pm PT)
Despite rumors concerning the eligibility of both “The New York Badass” Phil Baroni and Murilo “Ninja” Rua to compete on Friday’s “Shamrock vs. Baroni” world championship mixed martial arts fight card, it was confirmed, two days beforehand, that both will suit up and enter the cage for their respective matchups. Former UFC middleweight champion and King Of Pancrase, Frank Shamrock, will square off Baroni, a UFC and Pride Fighting Championship veteran, for the vacant Strikeforce world middleweight (185 lb. limit) title while former Pride stars, Joey “The Dream Smasher” Villasenor and Rua will battle for the vacant EliteXC world middleweight (185 lb. limit) crown.
As many as five additional bouts will be broadcast during the live Showtime Pay Per View event at HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070); by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com, or at any TicketMaster outlet. The event is being co-produced by Strikeforce and EliteXC.
Complete “Shamrock vs. Baroni” Fight Card:
Main Event – Strikeforce World Middleweight (185 lb. limit) Championship Bout:
Frank Shamrock vs. “The New York Badass” Phil Baroni – 5 x 5 Rounds
EliteXC World Middleweight (185 lb.) Championship Bout:
Joey “The Dream Smasher” Villasenor vs. Murilo “Ninja” Rua – 5 x 5 Rounds
Additional Pay Per View Bouts:
Cung Le vs. Tony “The Freak” Fryklund – 185 lbs. – 3 x 5 RoundsCarter “The Beast” Williams vs. Paul Buentello – heavyweight – 3 x 5 RoundsVictor “Joe Boxer” Valenzuela vs. Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett – 155 lbs. – 3 x 5 Rounds
Pay Per View “Swing” Bouts:
Josh “The Punk” Thomson vs. Nick “The Ghost” Gonzalez – 155 lbs. – 3 x 5 RoundsDuane “Bang” Ludwig vs. Paul “Semtex” Daley – 170 lbs. – 3 x 5 Rounds
Preliminary Card – Live Broadcast on ProElite.com:
Rex Richards vs. Steve Jester – superheavyweight (+ 265 lbs.) – 3 x 5 RoundsSeth Kleinbeck vs. Sam Spengler – 185 lbs. – 3 x 5 RoundsAnthony Figueroa vs. Chris Cariaso – 135 lbs. – 3 x 3 RoundsJason “Live Wire” Von Flue vs. Luke Stewart – 175 lbs. – 3 x 5 RoundsAaron Wetherspoon vs. Mike “Quicksand” Pyle – 170 lbs. – 3 x 5 Rounds
Phil Baroni
“He’s done a lot of talking and, now, I think he’s wrote some checks that I don’t think his ass will be able to cash”
“This ain’t a joke. This ain’t about fighting in my hometown and fighting hand-picked opponents.”
Speaking To Shamrock: “You can laugh and smile with that stupid looking face all you want, but when they shut the fuckin’ cage door, it’s not gonna be a fuckin’ joke. So, keep smiling. Keep smiling. You’re not gonna be smiling when I separate you from consciousness.”
“This is a big opportunity. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs in my career and my life, but so has everybody. I just don’t cry about it like this guy.”
On being granted a license by the California Athletic Commission after additional medical exams: “People say I should be thankful. What the fuck am I thanking them for? They’re puttin’ me in a fuckin’ cage and telling me to fight……. But, they stepped up this time and they took my back. They did the right thing….I guess I’m not that fuckin’ crazy.”
“I’m gonna fight like a rockstar…..(Speaking To Shamrock) You’re looking kind of scrawny. You should get some Gamma-O, bitch.”
Frank Shamrock
“Phil, what you don’t know is you are the hand-picked opponent and that’s why you’re here. This is my town. This is my arena and this is my sport and welcome to world, baby.”
“You think (this fight) is about you. That’s why you’re underneath the name ‘Shamrock.’ So, welcome to my show. I like your glasses. Your tan is better than me. You’re ripped more than me. You’ve got a better beard and I can’t really grow one. All I wanna see is – if you beat me, God bless you. If you don’t, we just move on from here. This is about fighting. I’ve said all I need to say. You’ve said more than you need to say.”
“All you fighters, fight your heart out. We’re an independent show, making huge waves. We’re gonna change MMA – help make it right. This is about fighting, about art.”
Murilo “Ninja” Rua
“Thank you very much. This fight should be the best fight of the night because of what we have on the line. We’re going to put on a great show for MMA fans.”
“I’m going to win this (fight) and dedicate this (title) belt to Gary Shaw.”
Joey “The Dream Smasher” Villasenor
On Rua’s comments about dedication of the fight: “Then, we’re in a tough spot because I’m dedicating this win to my mom cause it’s her birthday.”