PROVO, Utah – It might not be the most politically correct catch phrase in UFC history, but featherweight prospect Teruto Ishihara makes no apologies for his infamous UFC 196 proclamation.
The man does, in fact, love his bitches.
“That’s what I truly was feeling, so that’s what I wanted to say,” Ishihara told MMAjunkie.
Ishihara, who came to the UFC as part of the cast of “Road to UFC: Japan,” fought to a draw in his promotional debut, leaving “Yashabo” and Hirota as co-winners of the reality series.
Ishihara then returned to the octagon at March’s UFC 196 event, where he scored a second-round knockout of Julian Erosa.
Afterward, Ishihara addressed the crowd, shouting, “I love you, my bitches,” much to the bewilderment of UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan.
Ishihara said the Japanese broadcast of the event earned him a censor beep, which he took as a sign of respect.
“That’s how I am, so not too many people were surprised by that, but on the national television in Japan, I was one of the first Japanese to have censoring,” Ishihara said with a laugh. “So everyone’s like, ‘Man, you got it. You’re the man.’”
At Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 92 event from Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Ishihara (8-2-2 MMA, 1-0-1 UFC) faces fellow featherweight prospect Horacio Gutierrez (2-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who makes the move down from 155 pounds after falling short in the finals of “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2.”
Ishihara knows his opponent could enjoy a power advantage but doesn’t seem concerned.
“My opponent is coming down a weight class from lightweight, so he’s big, and he has that one punch, but I’m not stupid, so I’m not going to get hit by that one punch,” Ishihara said.
The matchup takes place on the evening’s FS1-broadcast prelims, which follow bouts on UFC Fight Pass and precede the evening’s FS1-aired main card.
For Ishihara, it’s just the next step on his fighting journey, one that he doesn’t really seem to care whether or not ever leads him to UFC hold.
“I have no interest in showing how strong I am or how good I can be but more about getting the money and the bitches,” Ishihara said. “My goal is always to have a fight that will make the ladies go crazy for me. I can’t explain it in words, but if you just watch me, you’ll see. You’ll think that, ‘Man, this guy is cool. This guy is fun. His style is awesome.’”
And if he proves victorious, Ishihara said you can be ready for another memorable post-fight interview.
“I’m planning on going off on the microphone, but please UFC, please don’t get made at me,” Ishihara said. “Please Dana White, don’t get mad at me.”
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