CBS/EliteXC Conf. Call Quotes: Gina Carano, Kaitlin Young, Gary Shaw
Popular, unbeaten women’s superstar Gina Carano of Las Vegas will face hard-hitting, confident Hook ‘n Shoot champion Kaitlin Young of Circle Pines, Minn., in one of five fights on the inaugural “CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS” on Saturday, May 31 (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The first mixed martial event in primetime on network television will be presented by Los Angeles-based Pro Elite, Inc.’s live fight division, EliteXC, led by Gary Shaw, and originate From the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Kimbo Slice, of Perrine, Fla., will face England’s James “Colossus’’ Thompson in the main event on CBS. Other televised fights: EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler of St. Louis defends against Scott Smith of Sacramento, Calif., Phil Baroni of Long Island, N.Y., meets Joe Villasenor of Albuquerque, N.M. in a 185-pound scrap and Brett Rogers of Minneapolis takes on Jon Murphy of Philadelphia in a heavyweight match.
Shaw: Thank you, everyone, for joining this call for this inaugural event. We’re all very excited. On Saturday, May 31, in primetime at 9 p.m. ET from the Prudential Center in New Jersey is a historic card. It doesn’t only mean a lot to EliteXC, but it should mean a lot to all the fighters. More importantly, it’s a huge step for mixed martial arts. It brings the sport to the forefront so that people no longer think of it as a barbaric sport but as a real sport with fighters with real disciplines that train hard, that are professional athletes. We at EliteXC are honored to be putting on a women’s fight. And those that have watched our SHOWTIME fights know about Gina Carano and what we have meant to Gina here at EliteXC and what Gina has meant to EliteXC. More importantly, fans know that Gina has become the face of women’s mixed martial arts. So today we’re honored to have Gina with us on this call and Kaitlin Young. I’d like to turn it over first to Gina to say opening remarks.
Carano: I am extremely honored to be fighting on the CBS card. I think it speaks leagues for how far women have come in the sport. I’m extremely honored to be fighting Kaitlin Young. I think it’s one of the best match‑ups I’ve ever had. I’m looking forward to the fight. I am a little depressed because “American Gladiators’’ ratings kind of plummeted a little bit (laughing). I’m excited to get back in the ring and focus on what my passion has been in my life and that’s been fighting. I’m super stoked for this fight and I’m anticipating a tough one. My training has been pumped up for the last two weeks. I had a little side shot with “American Gladiators’’ so we’re going to see how I perform with this crunch‑time training. I’m expecting a good fight. This is going to be awesome. I’m really honored to be on this inaugural event.
Shaw: Thank you very much, Gina. Before I introduce Kaitlin, I just want to say that we always had confidence in women fighting. Gina led the way for us, but we have other fine women that fight for our organization. It’s been my feeling all along that women should be treated as equals. If they can go to war, they sure can fight in mixed martial arts. We’re proud to have Gina on this card. We’re proud to have Kaitlin. It’s going to be a very good, very tough match. But more than anything else, the world will be able to see two professional athletes that can really fight. So without further adieu, Kaitlin, would you make some opening remarks?
Young: I’m honored to be fighting on the CBS card and fighting her as well. I think it’s going to be a great match‑up, a great stylistic match‑up. The beauty of our sport is that styles make fights. I really think this will be a great one. Training’s been going very well. I had a lot of notice for this fight so I’ve been lucky to be able to put in more time for this one than ever before. So I’m really excited about that and really excited to be representing women’s MMA for the first time. It’s going to be seen by such a large (audience). I think a lot of people don’t realize there are so many women fighters. Fortunately, EliteXC is there to showcase women’s fighting. It’s a great honor to be part of it.
Shaw: Thank you very much. I also want to say thank you as always to Ken Hershman from SHOWTIME, who had the real foresight with Matt Blanc to be able to put mixed martial arts on a premium cable network. He allowed us to put Gina on. And I’m sure Gina remembers the day when Ken gave us the OK. And, obviously, to all the powers that be at CBS for allowing us to bring our product to the airwaves of CBS. We’re very, very respectful for that opportunity. It is a wonderful opportunity for all our fighters and for mixed martial arts. So thank you to CBS. And also a special thank you to Rockstar and to Burger King, two of our sponsors. Anybody that knows me knows I eat a lot of Burger Kings.
Question: What weight are you fighting at?
Young: This fight’s at 140.
Question: Gina, why do you say this will be your best fight yet?
Carano: I just think it’s an awesome match‑up. I think it’s a great opponent. I think that I’m definitely somebody who fights better with somebody better in front of me.
Question: Are you referring that you are both stand‑up fighters?
Carano: I think she is a good fighter in general. I’m sure she has been practicing a lot on the ground, so I am not going to count her as a stand‑up fighter; I am going to count her as a complete fighter, an MMA fighter. I think she is an aggressive fighter. I just think it’s going to be a really good match‑up for me, and I think it’s going to make for an awesome fight.
Question: Kaitlin, how much notice did you have for the fight?
Young: I don’t think I necessarily had more notice than Gina did. I want to say I had probably a good nine weeks where I suspected that I would be taking this fight. So I’ve been training very hard since then.
Question: Gina, is there anything that concerns you heading into this one that maybe you haven’t covered in preparation?
Carano: I wish I would have had nine weeks completely to focus on it like Kaitlin. But there’s not going to be any excuses. I just chose to do “American Gladiators’’ and take my time away from it. So am I concerned? No. I feel more mentally clear than I’ve probably ever felt in my life. I think I’m good. I think I’m confident. I’ve got the next two weeks to kind of sharpen everything up and I’m ready to fight.
Question: Gina, are you surprised by the level of attention you’re getting?
Carano: You know, I kind of live in my own world anyway. I’m very good at keeping a good head about me and really looking at things for what they are. I know who I am and where I am at in my career. I’m not surprised that all the females are starting to get attention in the sport because it’s well deserved. We put on great fights all around the country, all around the world — fights that people walk away from (still) talking about. So I think females getting attention is awesome and it’s well deserved. I don’t buy into the hype. I know I am 5‑0 in MMA. I don’t listen to what everybody says about me I just kind of know who I am and keep my head about me. I think that’s one reason why people might like me.
Question: Gina, if the bout goes the distance do you think that favors you or Kaitlin?
Carano: I think this fight could go either way and I’m planning it on favoring me. But we’re pretty equal in our stand‑up. I’m expecting a pretty equal match‑up. As soon as I get in that cage with her then I’ll be able to kind of gauge where we’re at.
Question: Gina, how are you getting back in fighting shape and honing your technique with the short time you have?
Carano: I’ve been fighting in a different way outside the ring for the last nine months. I think it’s going to be pretty refreshing just to get in there and get physical. I’m not worried about it at all. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m better at being physical. I’m better at using my body. I’m better at fighting than I am at doing any of the entertaining or press conferences. I’m better at using my body and my physical ability and natural instincts. It’s going to be refreshing. Fighting outside the ring is not an easy thing. At least when you are in the cage you know who is throwing the punches (laughing).
Question: Gina, do you want to keep it standing, go to the ground or are you ready for anything?
Carano: You now, I think the game plan is something that I probably like to keep a little bit more private. I’m not going to give it away to her right now. I’m not going to tell her exactly what I’m going to do. So we’re just going to keep that under wraps.
Question: Kaitlin, how is your ground game developing?
Young: I feel that it’s coming on very well. I’ve done a couple of grappling tournaments. I try to hit those up when I can in-between fights to sort of work on the ground game against people of equal size and weight and skill level. And I try to do as many divisions as possible for experience. It doesn’t go on the record, so it’s kind of nice. I’ve had some submission victories at grappling tournaments. I’m feeling pretty confident about the fact that my ground game has improved quite a bit since my last fight.
Question: Gary, tell us why you decided to have a women’s fight on this first show on CBS?
Shaw: The same reason I thought we should have a women’s fight on the first show ever that we did on SHOWTIME. I think there are women out there that train hard, that have the skills and in my mind are professional athletes. If we are willing to put women into war where they can get killed by real bullets and protect us and protect our country, why shouldn’t they have the same right if they’re training hard to be seen by the American public? Just because they’re females? I don’t believe in that. Gina’s fights have all been competitive. Gina said it before, in some ways the fights she’s been in have been some of the most exciting fights that we’ve presented. I am proud to stand behind the women that fight for us at EliteXC. I’m proud that our match- making team has put together the right type of fights. Not only do we have these two young ladies that will be fighting on May 31 but we have others that are waiting in the wings behind them that are equally skilled and ready to go. And I think at the end of the day you will all be writing the next day about the great fight between these two athletes and warriors.
Question: Kaitlin, what does this mean to you?
Young: Like I said, it really is such a great honor. I do feel a tremendous obligation to perform well and represent female fighters well.
Question: Kaitlin, are you more comfortable on the ground now?
Young: Yeah, I’m feeling much better on the ground. Obviously, it’s not as natural as stand‑up feels to me. I don’t know if it ever will be. I’m working on trying to become the same level on the ground as I am standing up.
Question: You feel OK going toe-to-toe with Gina?
Young: Yeah. I’m really excited for that. I know she beat Tonya with a submission, which is awesome for her to transition like that, but it’s hard to say. I haven’t seen much of her other than that fight. So I think it will be really interesting if this goes to the ground.
Question: Kaitlin, if it goes the distance, does that favor you or her?
Young: It’s hard to say. I think it’s going to be a really good fight. She’s tough and very athletic. So I think it could go other way. Obviously I’m going to do everything in my power to make it go my way. But I can’t give a sure-fire prediction on that one.
Question: Gina, how do you maintain focus on the task at hand?
Carano: I’m crazy (laughing). No, actually, for the last three weeks I was supposed to go to New York for a promotional tour for “American Gladiators” and I just finally laid it down to them. I was, like. ‘I can’t do it. I’ve got to just stay at home and train and get my mind right.’ I’m not even doing that many fight interviews. I’m kind of just detoxing from the public eye for a second. Then I’m training and just getting my mind straight for the fight. I would have liked to do it sooner. I’ve got a beautiful life and I’m just surprised I’ve gone so far. I’m just going to stay positive and go for it. I’m balancing it out. I’ve got a good head on my shoulders. I’m able to just cut everything off when I need to.
Question: Gina, with this show being on CBS, do you look at this fight any differently from a prestige standpoint? Or are you approaching it the same as every other fight?
Carano: A fight’s a fight and once you get in the cage, everything goes away and it’s just you against that person. We can only do the best we can do. We’ve both had about the same amount of fights and we’ve both (been) brought up in the sport pretty fast. We’re going to put on a good fight. I know that’s what we’re both made out of. So I’m not even worried about that. But as far as pressure, we can only do what we can do. If we just be ourselves, which we both will be, I think the public will really, really love it and be drawn to it and want to see more of it. I just try to appreciate and be honored that I get this opportunity and I’m so happy that EliteXC has put me out there the way they have and taken a chance on me. I’m appreciative of what they’re doing for women in the sport. I’m just going to keep doing my thing because that’s really all I can do.
Question: Gina, if there’s been one prevailing criticism of you it is that you have had trouble making weight. Do you anticipate it being a problem for May 31?
Carano: Oh yes, the weight. A fight has never been canceled because I didn’t make weight. Unless one does, then I don’t have anything to be ashamed of. I do cut weight. I get down. I’m not very good dehydrated, so I walk into the weigh-ins not looking so hot sometimes. But it’s not going to be a problem for May 31. I am in surprisingly good shape where I am at right now. I feel great. I’m strong and ready to go. So, no, it shouldn’t be a problem and we’ll just see how it goes. I’ll just keep on trying to get more professional and trying to get down faster. (And) try to lay off the ravioli a little bit more (laughing).
Question: Kaitlin, what do you think a win over Gina would mean for your career?
Young: I think obviously it would give my career a boost. I think just having this fight regardless of the outcome really does anyway. But obviously a win would do that much more for it.
Question: Kaitlin, what are your thoughts on the state of women’s MMA and its potential to grow?
Young: I think it has great potential to grow. I think some of the women who have been in MMA for awhile aren’t particularly happy with the state of things right now. But I think it’s a very, very good time for women just getting into the sport. It’s growing so fast.
Question: Are you willing to elaborate on what other women fighters might be unhappy about?
Young: You know, I don’t want to put words into anybody’s mouth, but I think the general feeling is there aren’t as many high‑profile opportunities for female fighters that have been in the game for a long time.
Question: Gary, do you have plans to add to the women’s roster?
Shaw: We are continually adding to the women’s roster. We do have a women’s division. And we do like women fighting for us. We’re going to continue to put them on CBS. We’re going to continue to put them on SHOWTIME and on our ShoXC(Elite Challenger Series) shows as well. Shayna Baszler is on the roster and we have other women on the roster. I know the fight team and Jeremy Lappen are working hard to make additions to the women’s roster. We have signed a couple in the last few weeks. If nobody else wants to do it, then that’s all the better for us. It’s not better for the women, but it’s certainly better for EliteXC.
Question: Gary, do you have any specific guideline for how many women you would like to have on the roster eventually?
Shaw: As many as can fight, just like the men. If we find the women that we find are exciting fighters and we put them on shows that excite the fans, both on television and in the arena, then we’ll keep continuing to add to them. We don’t have a limit. It’s not like we’re going to have 10 women in two weight classes and that’s it — not at all. If the women can fight, then we’re signing them.
Question: Is there any plan for an EliteXC women’s title (fight), say in the next year?
Shaw: Yes we’re talking about two things. We’re talking about a women’s title and we’re also talking about an all women’s show where we feature one night of just all women’s fights.
Carano: That would be cool.
Shaw: Thank you very much. I hope you’ll back us. That’s something that I’d like to present to the public, a night of women’s fights. And I think that would be a major milestone. I think it would be good for the sport and good for women. I think Kaitlin said there are a lot of women out there that are unhappy. Not with us, because we’re the pioneers. We’re (not just talking), we’re acting on it. With the help of CBS and the help of SHOWTIME, we’ll continue. I would think in ‘09 that you should look for an all women’s show.
Question: Gina do you regret at all putting so much on your plate when you didn’t really have to?
Carano: No, (not) at all. Would it have been nice to just focus on the fight? Of course. But that’s not the reality of it. I focus on the fact I’ve got a beautiful life and I’m going to go do something that I really love to do in a couple weeks against Kaitlin Young. I’m living out my dream right now. It would have been nice to focus on it more especially since I think it’s just going to be such a difficult fight. But, no, let’s just do this. Then let’s look back and see how I do and then make improvements from there. Definitely for the next fight – (and) I’m sure I’ll have another one sometime this year — that one’s definitely getting all my attention. I can’t wait for that, you know, lifestyle and that feeling to come back. Really, training for a fight and spending so much time getting in the mental state is the best part about it. So we’ll see how I do and then look at it from there.
Question: Has the taping completed for this season of “American Gladiators”?
Carano: Yeah, we’ve been done for about a week I think.
Question: Now you are 100 percent focused on the fight?
Carano: Yeah, I’ve cut off all the media stuff and everything and pretty much just training.
Question: Tonight, you’ll be featured on ESPN “E:60.” Are you hoping for a positive piece?
Carano: I think it’s going to be a realistic piece. I was completely myself and I spoke my mind. I’m not going to say it’s going to be a negative piece. I think there are a lot of other female MMA martial artists out there that have been in it a longer time than I have and they have bigger records – and so they’re wondering why I’m where I’m at and why they aren’t here. I sympathize with them and I don’t know why either. I think that, you know, EliteXC looked at me and saw something that they could really build and they saw talent. And people sign new talent all the time. I think that they did a couple interviews with a couple other female fighters that might bring up that kind of aspect of it, which they have all the right in the world to. I hope we get to see some of these females fighting and I hope I get to fight them. Now that I’m building up kind of a bigger record, I think it will be more of an equal match‑up now.
Shaw: Let me (say one thing. The piece on Kimbo on “E:60” was not negative.
Comment: I meant EPSN the magazine.
Shaw: The magazine, (yes) that was a negative article. The article started off by saying exactly this: ‘Although I have never met Kimbo or spoken to Kimbo’ … I take those articles; I have three dogs and they’re very happy with those articles. I can’t respect someone who doesn’t speak to an athlete, doesn’t interview an athlete, and then just gives a one‑sided slant on the story. That’s not journalism.
Question: Gary, has anyone from ESPN contacted you?
Shaw: They didn’t understand why the piece came out. Kimbo has been very accessible to ESPN for “E:60” not only once, but twice. He’s going to be on (the cover of) ESPN The Magazine where they’ll do an entire article on him. I think if you meet Kimbo , if you spoke to Kimbo, it might not be the Kimbo the journalist, that writer, that individual, I don’t know what to call him, really wrote about. The same with Gina. If there’s a woman fighter that doesn’t like her or has negative things to say on the “E:60” piece — that hasn’t seen it yet — then that’s really unfair because they haven’t spoken to Gina. So they don’t really know Gina. Gina didn’t push anybody out of the way. She is not a bad girl. This wasn’t some contest that she fixed to get on the air. Gina was at the right place at the right time. Someone told me about Gina and (after) they told me, I went after her. I happen to know her father as well. When I met her, I said to her immediately, ‘you’re going to be the women’s face of mixed martial arts.’ On behalf of EliteXC, we delivered. On behalf of Gina, she delivered. So that’s what it’s all about. Like she said, she’s in a tough, tough competition on May 31. It’s real fight with Kaitlin. If she is successful and she wins, then she moves on. If she doesn’t, she’ll still move on. Those girls that have negative things to say, if they’re in the right weight class, they’re going to have an opportunity, if they can fight. But just because someone’s done it longer, doesn’t mean they’re the right person.
Question: Gary, you now have this new pact agreement with DREAM. Have they expressed any interest in having Gina fight for them on one of their cards in Japan?
Shaw: I haven’t had long talks with them. We loaned them Nick Diaz this past week. They want to do more with us. They’re starting to realize we have athletes and we have the fighters that can really fight. We’re one of the few organizations willing to go out there and work with other organizations. I’m hoping they allow me to bring them some of our greatest women fighters.
Question: Gina, do you feel any pressure fighting in front of a large audience on such a big stage?
Carano: No, I don’t. It’s kind of a different question actually. (As a person, I’m a bit more shy). I don’t get nervous. Fighting, that’s the fun part and I love that. Being in front of people, I’ve learned to get use to. But, regardless, once you get hit it all goes away any ways. So I’m just planning on my natural instinct to kick in, and it will. So, no, I (feel) good. I’m keeping a level head.
Question: Gina, what do you do to relax before a fight?
Carano: I like to dance a little; dancing kind of shakes out the nerves a little. And I pray. I pray just for a peace and for God’s will to be done. And whatever the outcome of the fight, just to have a peaceful feeling about it, you know.
Question: When do you do the dancing?
Carano: (Laughing) Just right before I go in the ring. I dance the nerves out of my body.
Question: Your dad was a professional athlete. What are his thoughts on where you’ve progressed?
Carano: He has stood behind me 100 percent and it’s been a really beautiful thing. My whole life he has trying to tell me go to school, become a lawyer, become a doctor, become something of importance. Then I go and become a professional fighter. It just kind of threw him off his seat for a second. But he’s climbed back on and he is 100 percent behind me and it’s the best feeling in the world.
Question: You said you were more mentally clear than before. What’s different now?
Carano: I think what’s different now is I have my confidence about me and I know who I am a little bit more than I ever have. And it’s a really good feeling. Because, you know, at the beginning you just kind of get shoved up there and you’re just trying to do everything to make everybody else happy. Now I’ve kind of realized I need to learn how to make myself happy and by doing that other people around me will be inspired through that. I am just at the cusp of grasping a hold of where I am at 26. I’m sure I’ve got a lot more to learn, but at least I have a handle on it.
Question: Gary, where will you be watching the fight?
Shaw: On May 31, I’ll be in that arena. I’ll be at a table pressed against a cage. I’ll have a monitor and at the start of the show I’ll have a lot of goosebumps. And, as Gina said, my nerves will be rattled. And when the first fight takes place and the action starts, I will shake it out.
Question: You will be nervous prior to the beginning of the show?
Shaw: For sure.
Question: What causes the nerves for you?
Shaw: Well there’s a lot of pressure. First of all, I care about the health, safety and welfare of all the fighters. So the single biggest thing in my mind is that not only do they have great fights but everybody comes out of the cage safe and healthy. That’s on my mind until the final fight is over. The rest is that everything goes right. We have an arena experience to put on, we have a television show to put on, we have a lot of responsibility to all the athletes and we have a lot of responsibility to all the people that support us. So there’s a lot of pressure that nobody sees and nobody knows (about). You think of everything from, God forbid, a problem with the cage, to a problem with the camera, to anything else that can go wrong. So, for me, personally, I’m not at ease all until it’s over. I don’t go to parties. I’ll go to a coffee shop or something like that because it wipes you out. And those that work can understand how much it wipes you out.
Question: How gratifying is it after the fact though?
Shaw: Spectacular. It’s a feeling that I wish I could transport to everybody around me. It’s like your graduation. You made it. You got through it all. And then when you see all these fighters and the smiles and you see two fighters ‑‑ and I’m sure it will happen with Gina and Kaitlin ‑‑ they’ll go at each other as hard as any athletes will fight to knock the other one out or submit them or put them to sleep, and then the final bell rings or the fight’s over, any way it ends, and they’ll just hug one another. I mean, there’s something very special about the fighting game that’s much different. You watch a hard fought tennis match, they walk to the net and they just shake hands. I mean they don’t even do that. Then golf, there’s nothing. But in the fighting game where there’s real physical contact and the winner is the one that does the most damage, it is just unbelievable that they will then go, men and women, and hug one another, embrace one another and show that respect for one another. So, for me, personally watching that is just joyous. I mean, Gina was talking about her father who I said I know. In her last match he jumped up ‑‑ he is a big guy to start with – and I thought he hit the top of the arena.
Question: When you are online, how often do you check ProElite.com and what’s that experience like for you?
Young: I usually check it maybe once a day or once every two days. Sometimes I’ll talk to people on there, like about interviews or whatever. If I have time, I like to answer people’s questions. Sometimes, I don’t get around to it but I try to.
Carano: I haven’t been on for a while but I will. I will go on there every once in a while.
Question: Is exciting for both of you to have that sort of interaction with fans?
Carano: Yeah, it is. I wish I could actually respond to more because I really get some amazingly heart‑felt messages on that site. The problem with responding is if I do respond then people, you know, think that we have a relationship and then they start wondering why I don’t write back all the time and they start writing to me all the time and it kind of gets hectic. So I usually don’t respond to messages. But I want people to know I do read and appreciate them.
Question: Kaitlin, what was the feeling after you won a Hook ‘n Shoot tournament by stopping three opponents in one night in a combined 1:52 or 1:53 seconds. Also, what is your personal and schooling background?
Young: Well, I started Olympic style Taekwondo a long time ago when I was 14. For those who don’t know what it is, it’s full contact but it’s basically above the waist. It’s like boxing with your feet, is the best way I can describe it. I did that for a long time. Then I got started in amateur kickboxing and made the switch to MMA this last year. I’m a student at the University of Minnesota studying kinesiology, which is exercise science if you are not familiar with that. I am going to be dropping down to part‑time after this semester because it’s too much with fight training. I don’t concentrate enough on school.
Question What’s your GPA?
Young: I want to say around 3.0.
Question: Gary, do you have any idea when you may launch women’s titles and would there be two of them in two different weight classes?
Shaw: There might be more depending on how many more women. I would think we would love to fight the winner of this fight for a title in the fall. So we would give the first women’s title out sometime in the fall. The other titles will depend on how many different weight classes we wind up with. We’ll wait until we have legitimate weight classes, legitimate amount of fighters that we’re proud of, then we’ll introduce a belt at that time. Not before.
Question: So 140 would probably be your first one?
Shaw: Yes.
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Posted May 14th, 2008 l 499 Views
