· “UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez” Conference Call Notes

MMA Spot was a part of today’s UFC 110 conference call featuring: UFC, UK President Marshall Zelaznik, former Pride and UFC Interim Champion Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira, heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez, former Pride Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva, and the face of British MMA Michael Bisping. Leading up to the event, which takes place on February 20 at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, none of the competitors were short on words. The first UFC stars to headline a card in "The Outback" seemed equally excited and humbled by the opportunity extended to them.

According to the president of the UFC’s U.K. division, Marshall Zelaznik, this is the second fastest selling event in UFC history. Zelaznik, who was only available for a brief period of the conference, didn’t say much more.

The main event features a matchup between Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira and Cain Velásquez. The two heavyweight superstars were questioned as to what their match-up entails, their opinion on the state of new MMA vs. old, and how the two feel about facing off against each other.

Facing Nogueira, one of the most accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners in the sport's young history, Cain was asked whether or not he feels "the bottom game is dead”.

According to Velasquez, "the sport is always evolving; Nog is especially dangerous on the ground. The bottom game is definitely not dead."

Nogueira replied, "the ground is a normal part of the game. Submissions are still important."

Nogueira and Velasquez were also questioned on where each felt they stood in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

Nogueira stated, "Me and Cain are doing great, we're in a good position. It might be me against Shane [Carwin] or Mir afterward, and that's what I see now, there are five guys fighting for the title right now, a lot of interesting fights can happen."

Velasquez offered, "I don't really think about what can happen after, right now it's just me and Nogueira."

When asked where the fight would take place, the two seemed ready for anything.

"Cain can fight everywhere, especially as a wrestler. He can fight anywhere. I see us moving a lot in this fight, especially since we’re two smaller heavyweights," Nogueira replied.

Velasquez agreed, "I'm not changing my game plan, but when I do get to the ground, I have to be smart."

Wanderlei Silva and Michael Bisping were both met with several questions about their own upcoming battle and previous experiences.

When asked about the cut to 185 and his recent surgery Wanderlei said, "I feel faster, I think I'm going to have a great debut in this division. I broke my nose a lot, my cardio is better now and I feel better. I'm ready to fight!" Wanderlei was also questioned about the lack of the Muay Thai clinch in his game since coming stateside, “I'm bringing it back now. I'm training a lot of boxing, Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu and I'm going to use it now.”

Surprisingly, Bisping’s recent win over Dennis Kang was completely overlooked and most of the questions directed to the Brit were about his loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 100. “It was a bad night; I know I can beat him. I'd love to rematch him, but who knows what the future is gonna bring. It pisses me off, people bringing up Hendo all the time. Most of the time I turn toward a person’s weak side, but I had no option but to go to his strong side, he cut the ring off well. I fought Leben before and it worked, but Hendo got me, and I was winning that round until I got knocked out.”

Unsurprisingly, the two Pride legends were treated to a round of questions together. Nogueira and Silva, former rivals who have trained together often in recent times, had no qualms facing the curiosity over where they stand in the MMA world nowadays.

Wanderlei said that he and his opponent “come from different times, but still fight the best, and this is still a great experience.” When asked about his fans, Wanderlei stated “I want to make them happy; I want to meet their expectations.” Nogueira on the other hand was rather offended by the question, stating “being called old bothers me, Wanderlei and I have been around since Pride and we're still fighting the best.”

While UFC 110 can end with a triumphant defense by the old guard, or as a passing of the torch to the new, Nogueira and Silva stand ready to defend their post. Conversely, Velasquez and Bisping are ready to finally be seen as the future of the sport they represent. Ten days before the event, all the participants seem prepared to fight and defend their place in history.