Wednesday, 03 June 2009

“LAWLER vs. SHIELDS” – This Saturday, June 6,
Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri,  Live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT;

 First Non-Televised Fight: 6:45 P.M. CT

NEW YORK (June 2, 2009) – “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler, Jake Shields, and Phil “The New York Bad Ass’’ Baroni participated in a national media conference call Tuesday to discuss their important fights on the eagerly awaited “Lawler vs. Shields” card live on SHOWTIME (this Saturday, June 6, 10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Strikeforce will present the biggest, most significant mixed martial arts event in the history of the GatewayCity. World-ranked fighters Lawler (middleweight) and Shields (welterweight) will square off at a catch weight of 182 pounds in the main event.

In other fights on SHOWTIME’s five-fight telecast, the trash-talking, knockout artist Baroni will face crowd-pleasing, aggressive-minded Joe “The Diesel” Riggs in a welterweight scrap, Andrei “Pitbull’’ Arlovski, a former UFC champion, will take on the undefeated, hard-hitting Brett “The Grim’’ Rogers in an Affliction sponsored heavyweight bout, exciting, power-punching Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith will take on talented, Cesar Gracie black belt Nick Diaz and two-time NCAA Division I national wrestling champion Kevin Randleman will face Mike Whitehead in a light heavyweight matchup.

Fast-rising St. Louis-based fighters such as Jesse Finney and Tyron Woodley will head up an excellent six-fight undercard that features nine fighters from the St. Louis area. The final fight of the card was announced on the call Tuesday as Mike Kyle takes on Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante.

Doors at the Scottrade Center will open at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday. The first non-televised preliminary bout will begin at 6:45 p.m. 

Tickets, starting at $30, are on sale at the ScottradeCenter box office, all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

Highlights from Tuesday’s conference call (To hear call in its entirety, Playback Info is below):

ROBBIE LAWLER

Is there any problem with you getting down to 182 pounds?

“Well, I definitely don’t want him (Shields) on top of me. He’s got a great top game and he looks to finish, looks to mount and looks to improve position so being on the ground is definitely not a good place to be.”

How do you approach selling a fight? Has your approach changed to it over the years?

“I stay pretty reserved still. I’m pretty laid back. I do it but I typically don’t like to get involved in and definitely don’t like doing it. But I do as much I can to help the fight. It’s good for the sport but I’d rather be out there fighting than being on the phone.”

How do you feel about fighting in your hometown?

“It’s not a big deal. I’m looking at it as another fight.”

Are you looking for a first-round knockout Saturday night?

“However I can get a win.”

JAKE SHIELDS:

What about going down to 182 pounds?

What is you game plan Saturday if he keeps you on your feet and you’re not able to get him to the ground?

“Punch him in the face. That always helps. If he takes me down I just have to punch back.”

How do you assess Robbie’s ground game?

“I think Robbie’s a great wrestler. He’s always been surrounded by good college wrestlers. He’s certainly not going to be easy to take down. His ground game is his weakest aspect but I haven’t been able to see it lately because not a lot of guys have been able to get him down.”

Is this the biggest fight of your career?

“Yeah, I’d say it’s the biggest. I’ve fought a lot overseas but as far as media attention goes and Robbie being top 5 or top 10, it’s a huge fight for me.”

Do you feel like an uncrowned champion and would you prefer to fight for a title in your next fight?

“I do feel a little like an uncrowned champion. For me it’s more the fight that matters than the title.  

Belts are nice but it’s really just about the fight.”

PHIL BARONI

Opening comment:

“The guy (opponent Joe Riggs) is a no-show for the conference call. He’s got a real big problem. I’ve been telling you since Day 1 you better have someone else lined up because I don’t think he’s going to show up. We’re all busy and we’re all training right now and we don’t want to do this but we’re all big and professional except that (expletive).

“It’s up to him how long the fight is going to last. I want to show everyone in MMA that I’m for real. All roads lead through Joe Riggs. I’m planning on blowing right through this kid.”

How has it been for you making weight?

“It’s been real comfortable. Losing 16 pounds of muscle helped a lot. I feel great. I feel like I’m 19 years old again. I have tons of energy. I feel like I should be on a box of Wheaties and doing cereal commercials.”

“I’m on edge right now. Don’t cross me now because I haven’t had sex in four weeks and I’m on a diet. I’m ready to kill someone. This is going to be a war and I’m in total fight mode. I don’t even know what I’m talking about right now. Next question.”

Closing comments:

“I’m just ready to go. It’s a coming out party for me. I’m a different person out there. Joe Riggs is underestimating me and making a big mistake. The talking is done. It’s time to do it in the ring. I can’t wait to get in there and show the world I’m a legitimate contender and can do this. Better later than never.”

MIKE AFROMOWITZ (Strikeforce):

Is this the biggest show Strikeforce has ever had?

“I would say it’s up there. From top to bottom it’s the best. We have three of the best fighters on the phone right now and I think you would have to say it’s the best fight card we’ve had over the last three years.”

How are ticket sales?

“They’re strong. We came out of the gates really strong. We’ve been moving 100 to 200 a day in the last two weeks. So we’re looking for a big crowd in St. Louis.”

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