{"id":67642,"date":"2017-06-22T22:15:37","date_gmt":"2017-06-23T03:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=67642"},"modified":"2017-06-22T22:16:17","modified_gmt":"2017-06-23T03:16:17","slug":"bellator-nyc-media-day-chael-sonnen-wanderlei-silva-almost-come-to-blows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=67642","title":{"rendered":"Bellator NYC Media Day: Chael Sonnen – Wanderlei Silva Almost Come to Blows!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By Anthony \u201cZute\u201d George <\/strong><\/p>\n

The media was treated to an afternoon delight in the heart of New York City Thursday morning, as Bellator NYC held its media day, in preparation for their big PPV card on Saturday June 24th. The fighters on the PPV card provided the media with quotes that were chock-full of pure honesty, humor and true animosity.<\/p>\n

Spike TV President Kevin Kay began media day by informing the press that the Bellator fans will be treated to popular rock star Dave Navarro\u2019s performance of the National Anthem Saturday evening. Kay was very excited about the announcement of this Bellator PPV, as he stated that Bellator MMA has had record ratings and attendance so far in 2017, Saturday night is expected to add to those numbers in a major way. <\/p>\n

Bellator President Scott Coker reported that he \u201cNever has put on a fight card of this magnitude\u201d, as he pointed to the very talented fighters attending the press conference. Coker was promoting fights back when, as he put it, \u201cMMA was not on TV\u201d, and now MMA is on the biggest stage possible. Coker called Saturday\u2019s card the \u201cBest PPV of 2017.\u201d<\/p>\n

Headlining this epic PPV is Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva. Chael called it \u201cThe biggest grudge match in history.\u201d The animosity between these two fighters was apparent during media day. When asked if they would shake hands when it was all said and done, Silva simply said \u201cNo.\u201d Sonnen was a little more poignant in accentuating the genuine dislike for one another, when he said, \u201cI don\u2019t wish him well. He doesn\u2019t wish me well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both fighters appear to be well, however. Silva told the press that he \u201cFeels happy with Bellator\u201d and is of clean body and mind. \u201cI have never been so motivated\u201d was what Chael Sonnen told the press. Sonnen explained that he has always been disciplined, but motivation is different, more elusive, \u201c\u2026either you have it or you don\u2019t\u201d, Sonnen explained.<\/p>\n

When asked about their game plan Saturday night, Silva said \u201cMy game plan is to kick his ass\u201d, while Chael explained \u201cI don\u2019t have a game plan, I don\u2019t play games.\u201d Sonnen does not even want to be referred as a mixed martial artist, he thinks of himself as a cage fighter, \u201cI am not a martial artist\u2026I don\u2019t wear bathrobes\u2026we are going to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

The fight almost came prematurely, as Sonnen and Silva had to be separated during the photo op at the press conference. It is clear, these two men are not meant to be in the same room with each other. The problem is they have to be one more time before the fight, at tomorrow\u2019s weigh in. Perhaps there will be measures taken to ensure a weigh in with no confrontations. Speaking of weigh-ins, Scott Coker informed the press that all the Bellator competitors will be weighing in on the same scale that Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier used in 1971.<\/p>\n

The other fighters on the PPV also offered some memorable quotes. Zach Freeman, who is taking on Aaron Pico, offered up the most honest quote of the day when he said, \u201cI think I am the only one up here with a day job.\u201d Zach is fully aware of his role in this event, and will no doubt give it his all when he gets the chance to \u201c\u2026compete at Madison Square Garden.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scott Coker called Aaron Pico, Freeman\u2019s opponent, as the most \u201chighly recruited prospect over the last five years.\u201d Pico is making his MMA debut Saturday, and told the press he is \u201cenjoying it\u201d, but \u201cSaturday night its show time.\u201d<\/p>\n

It will also be show time for two of Bellator\u2019s champions, Michael Chandler and Douglas Lima. Chandler has been sort of an Bellator lifer, as he explained he fought for this organization back when \u201cGirls softball events were getting precedence over Bellator.\u201d Chandler\u2019s excited to see the \u201cexponential growth\u201d of Bellator and is thrilled to be part of the organizations biggest event. Brent Primus, Chandler\u2019s opponent, described himself as being a \u201cpunk\u201d when he was younger, with a \u201ctroubled childhood.\u201d Primus now describes Saturday night as a \u201cdream come true\u201d, as he will be \u201cFighting one of the best lightweights in the world.\u201d Despite the accolades for Michael Chandler, Brent Primus also told the media that he is \u201c\u2026going to walk out of there with the belt.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other championship fight features Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima taking on Lorenz Larkin. I had the chance to speak one on one with Larkin, and he described the match up as \u201cA more traditional fighter versus an unorthodox fighter.\u201d Larkin also informed me he is not taking Lima lightly and is \u201csticking to my diet.\u201d Lima indicated that he cannot wait to defend his title Saturday night.<\/p>\n

The co-feature of Bellator NYC\u2019s PPV features MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko and veteran Matt Mitrione, in a heavyweight showdown. This fight was scheduled earlier in the year, only to be canceled just two hours before fight time, due to health issues for Mitrione. Matt looks to be in great shape and ensured the press he is \u201cHydrated and kidney stone free.\u201d Fedor was his usual business-like self and told the press \u201cI am very happy to be performing at Madison Square Garden. I am very happy to perform in the same event as so many great stars.\u201d Matt kept up his humorous approach when he said if he wins this fight he will be \u201c\u2026more awesome than I already am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Matt was also very respectful to Fedor, as he called his opponent \u201cExplosive\u201d with \u201cimpeccable timing.\u201d Matt also pointed out that Fedor has \u201cRefrigerator strength\u201d and to get ready for this fight Matt said he trained with \u201cobscenely strong\u201d guys.<\/p>\n

I was able to spend some one on one time with both Matt and Fedor. When I asked Matt if his uncanny calm demeanor was just a mask for the pressure he feels, he said \u201cNo. I never felt pressure.\u201d Matt also said, \u201cMy entire life has been a trial by fire.\u201d When asked if he ever gets nervous right before a fight, he said, \u201cI don\u2019t get nervous, I get anxious. I want to go. I do not want to wait until midnight to fight. My vice is competition.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked about Fedor, the competition for Saturday night, Matt said he cannot compare to Fedor to anyone else he has fought, \u201cFedor is a legend in a class by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oddly enough, when I asked the same question about Matt, Fedor also said he cannot compare Matt to any of the many great fighters he has faced. I followed up by asking Fedor to describe Matt in general, he paused, then replied \u201cHe\u2019s interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is also interesting is Fedor\u2019s career. How much longer will it be? When I asked Fedor if he thinks about retirement, he said, \u201cI would love to fight as long as I can, but I also realize at this stage in my career every fight can be my last.\u201d<\/p>\n

If Fedor\u2019s last fight happens to be Saturday night, it will be just another footnote to a historic PPV event. Bellator NYC is sure to break records and thrill the fans, providing them with memories that they can share with their grandchildren, the fighters will as well. Media day was an indication of just how professional and prepared these fighters are. Media day also showed us that these fighters are just about done talking and they are ready to do what they do best. Fight night cannot come soon enough.<\/p>\n