BOB SAPP

We're here with Bob Sapp. So you got this fight with Bobby Lashley.

Tell us about the fight, when's it happening?
Sapp: I'll tell you. The fight is going on June 27th down there in Mississippi. Big Bobby Lashley. I expect him to do a lot of takedowns, you know trying to take me down, you know, do a little ground and pound. I don't think his game's ready yet for doing the submissions and whatnot. He's obviously the better wrestler but since this is fighting I think I'll be all right.

So you said you're back up here training. Who are you training with?
Sapp: I'm training at Ivan's gym. Ivan Salaverry, and I'm still going to the where the roots go: AMC in Kirkland. So the great fights we saw here tonight in Uprising actually one of the best, Mario Miranda, he actually trains out of AMC in Kirkland. So those are some of the guys who help me get ready for my up and coming fights. 

So where are you living now these days?
Sapp: Still right here, in Japan and of course coming back to Washington. Back and forth. So we'll see what the future holds. I got on the schedule almost 6 to 8 fights. So those would be 3 fights scheduled in Japan, of course we got 1 in Hong Kong and 2 in Australia. And we're also going to China this year and look to see me in the United States a little more often. 

That's be good. And you said you also have a movie coming up?
Sapp: Yeah my next movie comes out "Frankenhood" with Charlie Murphy. Its debut, its DVD debut is out May 5th.

What kind of role are you playing?
Sapp: I play the role of Frankenstein, or Frankenhood.

Is this little more of a role than you've had in past movies?
Sapp: Its kind of similar to the roles that you've seen me in recently like Big Stan where I'm kind of the supporting, mean, dumb, scary kind of actor thing. That's where you'll see me do the same type. Couple more months from now we'll see Blood and Bone come out, where I actually get to play a fighter in that one but still scary and mean. 

Are you still doing a lot of TV stuff back in Japan?
Sapp: Yes, doing some more TV work back in Japan. Actually right now, in the works, believe it or not, I don't know what's going on but China wants be to do another Bob Sapp CD, and right now they're busy doing a Bob Sapp exercise DVD.. and they want to do infomercials and everything else on it. So I don't know, at $100 I think you might want to save your money there a little bit but that's what its going for so we'll just kind of check it out.

BRAD BLACKBURN

Talking with Brad Blackburn. You're preparing for a fight with Edmund Garcia?
Blackburn: Yeah, June 20th on the final for The Ultimate Fighter 9 that's going on right now. 

What's your game plan with him.
Blackburn: My game plan.. well, this guy's a striker, heavy hitter with a wrestling base. He's a really tough guy, so I'm going to feel it out. I'm going to be ready for everything. I would like for this fight to be... its going to be a war. Its going to be a striking match. We're probably going to see who's the man. ...my adrenaline will be going a little bit because people are going to wonder how its going to pan out. The two sluggers going at it. So I'm going to try to show who the man is. 

You've made a splash in the Octagon, with two wins in two fights, and you're looking to climb the ladder...
Blackburn: Definitely. I got suspended after the last one. They tried to get me some big fights. They had me talking about fighting Mike Swick for the main event. And then they were talking about me fighting Marcus Davis but I was still suspended. But once I got my suspension released, they said they were booked until July and I said I can't wait that long and so they put me on the fight card in June. I got to take what I can get. 

Where are you training out of?
Blackburn: Yeah, Victory Athletics, Next Level Boxing in Seattle, West Coast Fitness. Those are the gyms I bounce between the most. I shoot down to Team Quest down in Portland every so often. 

Are you still working a bit or are your a full time fighter?
Blackburn: No, just a full time fighter. Full time fighting now, 100 percent. Trying to see what's up.

How about sponsors, are you getting those landed?
Blackburn: Yeah, Tapout has been helping me, and Cage Freak. Those are the two consistent sponsors that I've been having lately.

SHAD LIERLEY

So talk us through the fight tonight, how'd it go.
Lierley: It went well. It kind of started out.. I knew he was going to be a ground guy. He's so tall and lanky, I knew I didn't want to get into a standup war just because he has 8 inches of reach on me. The guy is 6'1", its amazing that he can even make 145. You know, its amazing. I knew I wanted to go to the ground with him. I was expecting him to throw up a lot of triangles, which he did. He caught me in one. That first one was pretty tight. And I just postured up. I knew he was going to have a hard time.. breaking it, I do triangle defense all the time so I stood in there. I was having a hard time breathing but I knew I wasn't going to tap. I kind of suckered him with that arm. I let it hang out there and it works. The guy went for the arm, he went for the armbar and I turned my hips immediately and stepped over the head. I was lucky that worked because if was going to get that arm across it would have been some big trouble. It worked, got out and you know, hit him in the face a few times. I went for that americana the first time and it missed it. Then he went to the same position so I secured it the second time, and just kind of held my position and slowly worked my way until that shoulder just couldn't take anymore. 

Then what's next for you?
Lierley: I'm just taking one fight at a time right now. I'm not trying to sign a contract. Hopefully I'm looking to Bellator right now. They're doing their 2nd season, they just confirmed it. And hopefully I'll be able to sign with them. September, that's what I'm hoping.

Where are you training?
Lierley: I train with West Coast Fight Team still. I do standup, boxing, with Carlos Hernandez. And he has a boxing gym in Seattle. I don't know if actually has a name. Its just in a basement, and has a ring. A hole in the wall place.

Do you have sponsorships right now?
Lierley: I have a vodka sponsor. V2 vodka. They've always been good to me. They actually were sending me shorts. They next day aired it but it didn't get to me in time. So they sent me banners and shorts and stuff but it wasn't here. But they're always there for me. V2 Vodka.

BRISTOL MARUNDE

I'm here with Bristol Marunde. Talk us through your fight...
Marunde: Tonight I fought Mychal [Clark]. He throws a lot of wild stuff. I think my game was just to be patient. I wasn't worried. He landed a couple of crazy stuff you don't see in the gym. But I was just patient. I knew in the back of my mind, I knew I was going to win the fight. You can never force a knockout so, I'm just working hard. I knew I could take him down and once I took him down that last time, I sunk in the kimura and I felt it going deep, and I knew that was the end for him. I pulled a submission, he didn't tap. I pulled it harder and his elbow cracked really loud in my hands and I knew it was over. Once I heard him scream in pain, it was over. And then the ref stopped it and I held his elbow because I wasn't sure if it was going to flop and fall down. But it was good you know, patience, technique, and just a will to win won that fight. 

Right on. Now I hear you're with Xtreme Couture now. Tell us about that move...
Marunde: Yeah, I'm in Las Vegas right now at Xtreme Couture. Its real good. Because we go hard in the gym, sparring with a lot of top guys. Randy and Forrest... they're making me a lot tougher. Mentally I'm as tough as I could ever be, and physically, I'm tough. I don't mind getting hit, that's fine. Yeah, so that's dramatic. I'm here to fight, so whatever. 

So who you here with. 
Marunde: This is my Grandpa George.

Grandpa George, what do you think of your grandson here.
Grandpa George: I think he's a number one guy. He's really a good guy.

He's really really a good guy!