Highlights from Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields press conference

Strikeforce held a public press conference for it's "Lawler vs. Shields" card Tuesday at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. In addition to the announcement of the "Affliction-sponsored" bout between Andrei Arlovski and Brett Rogers, several fighters spoke to the press, including Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler, who will meet in a 182-pound bout in the main event.

Of course, Phil Baroni, who will meet Joe Riggs, was the star of the show. Check out what he had to say after the jump.

Here's what Baroni had to say about Riggs, courtesy of a Strikeforce press release:

“Really, there’s not much to say.  Joe’s 25 years old and he’ll have his day.  On June 6, I’m knocking him the (expletive) out. I’m going to (expletive) him up bad. I’m going to bust him up the whole (expletive) fight.  It’s up to him how long he wants to last.  Whether he wants to last one round or he wants to last three – I’m going to (expletive) him up.”

 

“Never mind being in shape.  I’m not thanking anybody for being here.  Any promotion that has me, it’s lucky for them.  No one’s kissing anyone’s asses.  I’m just ready to fight and beat the (expletive) out of him.”

 

“I asked my agent – I said ‘hey get me a southpaw to fight.’  My agent’s pretty stupid.  He said ‘What’s that?  He didn’t know what a southpaw was.  So, I said “It’s a (expletive) left-handed fighter.  I’m real good at fighting lefties.  Lefties are made to order for me.  They eat straight right hands and I’ve got a pretty (expletive) big one.  I’m going to put it right on his kisser.”

Riggs was respectful:

“Phil is one of those guys who people have written off a couple of times in his career and he’s always come back strong.  He’s a high risk fight and a tough guy.  I have a lot of respect for him.  On June 6, it’s going to be a great fight, but there’s no way I’m losing that fight.  I guarantee it.”

Shields said he doesn't have a gameplan, but he admits it would be better for him to go to the ground. Yet he said he's not afraid to stand up and bang with Lawler. He also added:

“I feel great.   It’s a move up in weight, but I’m not really too concerned about it.  Robbie’s strong and big, but I’m not that small.  I always cut weight to 170 so I actually get to eat and lift weights.  I’m not going to be huge for the weight, but I don’t feel that small either so I don’t think it’s going to be much of an issue.”