Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will hold a public press conference today (March 27, 2012) in advance of UFC 146 which will take place on May 26, 2012, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The press conference will begin at 2 p.m. ET and will take place at MGM Hotel Lobby in Las Vegas. Scheduled to attend will be the UFC President Dana White and the headlining fighters for the evening: Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, Cain Velasquez, Frank Mir, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva.
We'll deliver the minute-by-minute updates from the UFC 146 press conference below, as well as feature the LIVE video feed so you can watch it right here at MMAmania.com.
Dos Santos is the current UFC heavyweight champion, having gone an impressive 8-0 inside the Octagon. He captured the title from Cain Velasquez at the inaugural UFC on FOX event last November and is looking to defend his belt for the first time. His opponent, Alistair Overeem is the former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 World Grand Prix champion. He has not lost in four and a half years and handily defeated Brock Lesnar last December to earn his title shot.
Velasquez is the former UFC heavyweight champion. He suffered a shoulder injury after initially winning the title in October of 2010 and was handed his lone loss by dos Santos during his first title defense. Now healthy, he's hoping to earn his title back with a victory in the co-main event.
Frank Mir is also the former two-time heavyweight champion. He's currently riding a strong three fight winning streak over top competition which includes a dramatic comeback victory in which he submitted Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira last December and is also hoping to get his crack at the belt.
We'll have all the updates from the UFC 146 press conference, as well as the LIVE video feed, after the jump:
Brian Hemminger here. The press conference is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
2:15 p.m. - We're just getting started.
Cain Velasquez: There's a PR side and there's a fighting side. It's a balancing act and it's a part of the sport. For every fight camp, I've always done enough training for myself.
Frank Mir: I think wrestling's a huge factor in all the fights. I just hope to make it to where the ability to keep it standing or on the ground are not viable choice. He sees what I'm good at and if he keeps submissions unavailable.
Alistair Overeem: Jon Jones walks around at 220 and so do I. If he has the right diet and training, I can see him doing what I did.
Dana White: It depends on fighters coming off injuries and timing. This all lined up for an all-heavyweight card.
Roy Nelson: I think people just like to see me fight. I'll do the Chuck Liddell or Randy Couture and I'll fight at 205 for retirement.
Junior dos Santos: I'm feeling good. I like to be champion and I feel the heavyweight division now is very interesting. I think it's a good time for the heavyweight division.
Dana White: After this card happens, it's going to be interesting to see how it does shake out and who's in line for the next shot.
Junior dos Santos: I'm working hard, training hard every day. I think the secret is to just get prepared for everything. I'm doing my part to keep my belt.
Alistair Overeem: This definitely is the biggest fight of my career. The UFC is the biggest show on the planet so I definitely see it as my biggest challenge. I'm excited about it, training hard every day and it's gonna be a great show.
Dana White: The heavyweights bring that excitement that you're probably gonna see a knockout but I think this fight, there could be knockouts or submissions. The fight with Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem, these guys have outstruck everyone lately. Frank Mir showed what he's capable of doing with his last win.
Roy Nelson: We actually finish fights if you look at the percentages. Everyone loves the home run in baseball or the slam dunk in basketball. That's what the heavyweights bring.
Antonio Silva: Heavyweights always bring fantastic fights. Everyone on this podium today is a fantastic fighter and you're going to see some fantastic fights on May 26th. It's going to be a war.
Dana White: When the heavyweight division sort of fell apart in boxing, you saw guys like Oscar de la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. It's not all about the heavyweights there anymore.
Frank Mir: I find for myself in the gym, I find my performance is best when I'm a little smaller. I'm happy where I'm at right now. I thought getting bigger would adjust to Brock's advantages on me but I've got a better feel for it now.
Alistair Overeem: K-1 is different because it's kickboxing and no ground involved but I definitely knew that was going to help me prepare for these fights.
Frank Mir: It definitely concerns me that my losses were to big strong wrestlers. I'm human. There's times where yous it there and despair and feel like you're not going to make it. I'm thankful to have friends around me and make sure I'm in the right direction.
Antonio Silva: I took my camp elsewhere when Alistair Overeem showed up with the Blackzilians.
Dana White: Pride's heavyweight division was awesome. They had a lot of legends built there. Our division is right on that level.
Cain Velasquez: My last defeat before November was in the national tournament. Getting a loss is not the end of the world. You just have to get better, get healthy and watch film. You've got to try to get better and move forward. That's it.
Dana White: I feel a loss is not the end of the world. I don't evaluate guys on losses unless they lose a few in a row or lose to guys they aren't supposed to.
Frank Mir: I appreciate it a bit more than earlier in my career. When I was champion, it was a bit overwhelming and I didn't get to take a step back and realize. Things slow down a bit this time around. They aren't so hectic and fast.
Dana White: Describing each fighter Roy Nelson - Hairy, great chin, Velasquez - well-rounded, incredibly talented, dos Santos - knockout artist, Overeem - Amazing kickboxer, Frank Mir - He breaks stuff, Antonio Silva - He's hungry.
Junior dos Santos: It motivates me. Heavyweight is the most important division because there's so much power involved. It's good for me because it motivates me to work harder and to keep my belt.
Frank Mir: Back in the day, the fights got spread out a bit further because there wasn't too many guys to match against. Anytime you're making a run for the title, the worst thing is to have an opponent where people ask who that is. I'd rather take that risk against a guy that's considered dangerous than against an unknown.
Frank Mir: I have a very tough opponent ahead of me. After that, hopefully by the end of the year I'll be in a title fight.
More UFC 146 news and notes right here.