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Bellator 15 Press Conference Coverage: Highlights
Apr 22, 2010 - 11:30:48 PM Bellator 15 Press Conference Coverage: Highlights

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I am live at the Bellator 15 Press Conference at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.

Here Are Highlights From The Press Conference

Bjorn Rebney starts off talking about Ryan Thomas' story, and how Thomas was able to fight again because of the volcanic ash that stopped flights around the world. Specifically, Jim Wallhead's flight. Rebney also says McClintock will fight again even though he lost tonight.

Rebney congratulated Patricio Pitbull, and goes down the line of fighters and says:

He believes that Dan Hornbuckle will be tough for anyone in Welterweight to take on.

Steve Carl did a great job, but Brett Cooper will be fighting for Bellator again.

Ryan Thomas will be fighting Ben Askren at May 20 in Dallas, TX. Steve Carl will also be fighting this card. (The press room cheers as this will be a great fight.)

NBC show numbers were spectacular. A lot of people are staying up to watch the show at 2am.


Then, Brett Cooper wonders were Steve Carl is and says, "I guess he is icing his face." He then says, " I don't want to be a sore losers, but I am one." He truly believed he won the fight and he also believes the crowd thinks he ones.

The first question was a tweet form Ben Askren directed to Bjorn Rebney: "Thank you for making the road to the finals so easy." Ryan Thomas says he is starting to form a dislike for this man. He says I was never in danger in that fight (with Askren), and he wants to "smash his face!"

Steve Carl walks in late, and he talks about how tough Brett Cooper is. "He hits like a freight train here, wow!"

Steve Carl is asked if he really thought he beat Brett Cooper tonight. (Cooper rolls his eyes.) Carl says it was close, and the fans only really saw the last part of the fight; the part he was not happy with.

Next, Bjorn is asked about how he scored Cooper vs. Carl?
Bjorn scores it like the judges

Dan Hornbuckle says,"Wow, what a magical night tonight in the Mohegan Sun." He thanks the fans and Tyler Swinton for taking the fight.

Honrbuckle was asked about would he rather fight Thomas or Askren. He says he wants to fight Carl and then Thomas in the finals. This is because they have a "special relationship."(Hornbuckle and Thomas make googly eyes at each other.) Then they give props to mid west boys.

Brett Cooper asks the room what we thought about his fight (who won)... no one says anything. (A humorous moment.)

Jacob McClintock talks about being 22 years old, and how he gives credit to Ryan Thomas. He thinks that Thomas deserved a second chance more than anyone else in this tournament.

Ryan Thomas says, "First of all I like to thank Bjorn Rebney, and Bellator, and the volcano for having me back." He gives credit to Ryan Thomas. He says McClintock had him in trouble, and he had his back.

Thomas says he is excited to fight Ben Askren again.

Bjorn Rebney talks about the pleasure of being here at Mohegan Sun.

When asked about the Strikeforce incident Bjorn Rebney said what happened at Strikeforce was an anomaly and that one of the announcers (Gus Johnson) did not mention that an incident like that is rare.

Carter's Take on the Press Conference:
The overall tone of the press conference was lighthearted. Bjorn Rebney was impressed with the fighters and mentioned that even those who lost will be coming back to fight in Bellator. The highlight was Ben Askren tweeting in to taunt Ryan Thomas. That s a fight that I cannot wait to see. All of the fighters at Bellator 15 have interesting stories, and I look forward to their next match ups.