Welcome to Fightful's live coverage of the UFC 241 post-fight press conference. We'll hear from the top winners, Dana White, and more stars from the night. You can watch the press conference in the video above and find updates below.
Press conference has started. Costa is up first. Says he's happy. Calls Romero the toughest guy in the division, after him.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Costa says his gameplan was to pressure. Says he got poked in the eye. Was hoping for a KO in the 1st or 2nd.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Costa wasn't worried about going to a 3rd round. Is used to it from his training. Costa won't consider being a backup for Whittaker/Izzy in October. Wants a full camp.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Costa believes Whittaker and Izzy are scared of him. "If Adesanya takes the belt, I could kill him. He's skinny. He has no chance. It's personal."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
The beef has been squashed between Yoel and Costa. Yoel was saying Costa had failed drug tests prior to the fight. Costa says he respects Yoel. "42 years old and amazing fighter."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Costa says Izzy has been talking shit, that's why it's personal. Doesn't think Whittaker or Izzy are as tough as Yoel. "I can beat both."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Costa was confident he won the decision. Says he needed the time off from his last fight to deal with personal things, organize training camp, and just relax.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Costa wasn't surprised at the boos. Calls it "normal." Says the next step is the belt. Thinks the fight was harder than he expected.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
When asked how he could make the fight easier on himself, Costa said "Nothing. I did my best. He's very hard to beat."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"He hits very hard. But me too" - Costa
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Costa says he said hi to Arnold Schwarzenegger after the fight. His nickname (The Eraser) came from Arnold's movie.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
That's a wrap for Costa.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Dana is here. Says he just left DC's locker room. "There's nothing to be bummed out about. What an absolute war."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Dana isn't sure about Cormier's future. Wants him to relax and spend time with his family. "We'll talk about that shit later." Says he doesn't want DC to leave.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"Diaz is a needle mover now" - Dana. "I told him not to swear on ESPN. He looked at me and said 'motherfucker.'"
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Dana says everyone in Colby's section was trying to start a fight with him. Dana told them to start acting like professionals.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Dana scored Costa/Romero for Costa. Says some fighters had it for Romero. "Either way it went, I don't think it was a robbery." Thought Romero could finish it in the 3rd but was backing off.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"We'll find out soon" if Nate was smoking CBD.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"Who wouldn't want to see that fight?" Dana on Nate/Jorge.
Dana uncertain on what's next for Stipe. Could be DC or Ngannou. Depends on what DC and Stipe want.
Dana says Colby/Usman will happen by the end of the year.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"Cejudo is saying a lot of crazy shit lately." Says Cejudo/Faber isn't happening.
Dana doesn't want to talk about Izzy/Whittaker pulling out of that fight. Says they have a plan in place if it does happen. Now doesn't want to talk about a backup for Khabib/Poirier.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Main event will be in place for MSG "in a couple of weeks."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
The UFC in China card will happen despite the conflict going on says Dana.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Dana hasn't looked at his phone so he doesn't know if Conor has texted him.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Dana thinks Costa deserves a title shot.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"We haven't had any problems with Nate other than smoking, motherfucker, and not showing up to the staredown. Once they make up their minds to fight, they fight." - Dana.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Dana says they will go to Africa at some point.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Cormier is up now. "I felt like I was doing pretty good." Credits Stipe for his body punches and right hand. Says he took the pressure off and isn't sure why. "Obviously that was a mistake."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Cormier isn't make any decisions on his future. Will talk to his family and coaches.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"Losing is terrible for me. Being finished is insane." Doesn't want to compare the stoppages against Jones and Stipe.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Cormier didn't think Stipe was faster. "He fought a good fight."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Cormier says the strategy was to wrestle. "I let my coaches down. They were begging me to wrestle. I didn't do what I was trained to do." Says he fell in love with his boxing.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
DC expected Stipe to last longer this fight. Knew he was tough and had a good chin. "Tonight was the fight I expected the first time"
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"I felt like I was winning. But I was winning until I wasn't."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
And that's it for DC.
Nate is here. Nate says the gameplan was to "kick him in his face." Says he didn't work any clinch stuff.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Nate said he didn't have the juice to finish Pettis. "The best of the best isn't who they say it is. It's who I'm saying it is."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Diaz says the best guys are the ones who are still around, not the ones who peak and then fall. "I'll be here 40 years. Fighting, still killing."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Nate says he'll fight next month "if everything works out how it should. It's not me who has been sitting out, it's them."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Nate says he's the Baddest Motherfucker Champion and that's the belt they are fighting for and the belt that matters. Wants to defend against Masvidal.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Nate now wants "I'm the shit money."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"When you play Street Fighter, who you gonna pick? The baddest motherfucker who does the coolest shit. I believe that's me."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Nate doesn't know who Colby is. "If you've been here for 2 weeks and get a hype show, I don't give a shit."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"I've been a father for years. Fatherin' all kinds of these little motherfuckers."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Nate is open to fighting Conor again. Asked why no one has called him out, "They don't know how to do it." Says he has too much money to not fight someone interesting.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Nate says Nick probably has a lot of criticism for him after this fight. Calls Nick the best fighter in the world.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
"I aint no bully. I just dont want to beat someone up. That's no fun or motivating."
Nate says there's nothing interesting for Nick. But says GSP would be good
"Nick probably has a whole other thought on this. I probably pissed him off." Nate on speaking to Nick's mindset.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
When asked when he'll smoke, Nate says, "As soon as I get out of this arena. They won't let me smoke til I'm gone."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
And now he's gone.
Stipe is here. Says he was trying to watch his figure since he's a dad now and that's why he was slimmer. Noticed the body shots were open dating back to the Anderson Silva fight. Wanted to test it.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Stipe isn't sure who he'll fight next. Wants to hit the hot tub and pool. Says he started off slow. "That wasn't me." Knew he was the better fighter in round 3.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Stipe says he feels like he's 98 right now. He'll be 37 on Monday.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Stipe wants his legacy to be "I'm a good dude."
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Doesn't want anymore "who do you want to fight next?" questions. Says he'll fight Jones. He'll fight anyone.
Stipe says he may have to quit being a firefighter because they're going to make fun of how he looks. Says it's crazy to think he'll make 205.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Stipe says he felt like an idiot on the first takedown. "I was working on that all camp." Could feel DC getting tired as the fight wore on.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
Stipe wanted this fight to show his daughter that when bad things happen, you just gotta get up. And because he thought he was the better fighter.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
That's a wrap for Stipe and for the coverage.
— Fightful MMA & Boxing (@FightfulMMA) August 18, 2019
If you missed anything from UFC 241, check out Fightful's full report on the event.
