Press Conference 10 am

The conference started with Pierre Boivin, President of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club, introducing the history of UFC to the media. Matt Serra and George St-Pierre were on stage, with Matt Serra proudly putting his UFC Welterweight title on display. Boivin called George a local hero, and it was obvious that he hoped for George to reclaim his title. He also tried to introduce us to Dana White as well, but confused him with Matt Serra. According to Dana White afterwards, all bald guys looked alike from the top.

Patrick Côté was also there with what looked to be Stephane Patry, TKO President, who also happens to be his manager. Dana White introduced all the fighters that have signed contracts to fight in UFC 83, and Cote's name was on that list. His opponent has yet to be announced, but Cote will not be doing French commentary as was reported by some websites; he will in fact be fighting.

Dana White talked a lot about how surprised he has been for years on the continued commitment of Canadian fans to the UFC brand. No matter where he put his shows, including overseas, there continued to be a strong number of Canadians at each and every event. Because of this, Dana talked about his commitment to maintaining a continued presence in Canada, including working on a deal to get on Network TV in Canada, similar to what he has with Spike TV.

Dana starts talking about the headline fight between George St-Pierre against Matt Serra, and immediately starts hyping George St-Pierre, saying that in comparing MMA to Basketball, George St-Pierre would bury Michael Jordan. Dana does not understand how George is not absolutely plastered across Canada on Wheaties boxing or anything else for that matter.

Dana then goes on to Matt Serra, who you almost wouldn’t know was even there. Dana references Matt’s first interview where he compared himself to Rocky, being that short little Italian kid from Brooklyn, to which Serra interrupts him and says that he never called himself “short”. Stocky, but not short. Matt Serra would continue to get everyone to laugh, including George St-Pierre, in the few questions that he was actually directed.

Dana gave kudos to Matt for accepting the fight in George’s home province, and admitted when pressed by Matt that he did not give Matt a chance the first time when he “shocked the world” and beat George St-Pierre. Although, it did seem as if he had to stop short of saying the same thing again.