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Q: Are you healthy?
A: Yes. I do not have any injuries.
Q: Your desire is strong?
A: Yes. This has turned into a challenge. People are telling me what I cannot do, and I want to prove them wrong.
Q: What are they saying?
A: Everybody is saying that I cannot hang with the young fighters today because of the rules and people are trying to make excuses for me. I want to shut them up. My response? I am going to get in the ring and show them they are wrong.
Q: How does it feel to be fighting in front of the home audience?
A: It's all right. Of course, there is good and bad. I'd prefer to fight against the crowds in his hometown because that keeps me on edge and prevents me from getting too comfortable or too relaxed. The good is that I do not have to travel. I can rest right here [at home]. Plus, because the fight is in L.A., I don't have to change my clock [adapt to a new time zone].
Q: What are Matt's weaknesses?
A: Oh, man. He's the welterweight champ. He's the best pound-for-pound out there. I am going to find out on the day [of the fight], and then I will let you know.
Q: Can you talk about strategy?
A: I have watched all of his fights, and he is very strong. It also appears that he finishes more people with submissions than with knockout punches, ground and pound or points [scoring] from the judges. That means he learned Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Q: Talk about his strengths.
A: One of his strengths is that he is a very good athlete, and he is on top of his game.
Q: Are media days such as this a distraction?
A: It's a distraction, but that is why it was set up as a media day. I get in a workout and I broke a sweat. Otherwise, I'd be running around doing nothing but interviews. [In that format], one interview a day would break me down. This way it's part of the process. It's part of the package, and I know how to deal with it.
Q: Matt told us that he's offended because you said that you built the UFC. How do you respond to that?
A: Why is he offended? It's guys like me, Ken [Shamrock], Kimo and Tank [Dave Abbott] who built that place. I did not see his face on the billboard in Times Square. And the UFC is not in L.A. or Staples Center because of him. And the large amounts of money that are coming in on PPV and for tickets? It's all because of me-not him. In the past, things [PPV and tickets] were cheaper. He thinks he's the draw? I do not think so.
Q: What is the difference between the Royce Gracie of today and the Royce Gracie of the early UFCs?
A: I am in better shape, better prepared, more mature, mentally stronger, wiser and older.
Q: How does a fighter beat Royce Gracie?
A: I can't answer that one. Hell, no. Let's get Matt on the phone right now, so we can tell him [laughing].
Q: Who is in your corner and why?
A: Royler [Gracie] is the main guy. He pushes me and keeps the strategy in place and Rodrigo [Gracie], of course.
Q: How long have you been preparing for Hughes?
A: Two to three months, and I have been doing a lot of grappling. The conditioning is normally weights, and I went to Fairtex [muay Thai] for a couple of weeks. I learned a lot there. That really improved my game, and I recommend the school for stand-up. I had heard [so much] about them. They treated me well, and I have nothing bad to say about them. I recommend that fighters go there and experience that.
Q: The rules say no gi. What are your thoughts on that?
A: I am used to it. I have fought in Japan [without a gi].
Q: In the early UFCs, you told us that Rickson [his brother] played a huge role in your preparation and support. You won't have him this time. Will you miss him?
A: Of course, but he's in Brazil right now. I have been talking with a lot with of other people, including cousins, so the game plan is set and on the table. Royler is here, so the training is on track.
Q: To be successful, what do you have to do?
A: He's a good all-around fighter, so I have to capitalize on his mistakes. He will make mistakes, so I have to find them and capitalize on them.
Q: Do you feel pressure?
A: There is always pressure. I was born a Gracie, so I am under pressure, but I can disconnect myself from that. I know what I'm doing, and I know how to prepare myself. Whatever happens, happens, and anything can happen.
Q: Is fighting still fun?
A: Yes, but the preparation is the most fun.
Q: What will a loss mean?
A: I lost once, and I cannot stand to lose. There is no second place, man. It's only first place. I can't stand to lose. I am there to win, and I have prepared to win.
Q: What will a victory mean?
A: Another day at the office.
Q: What are your best UFC memories?
A: The Dan Severn fight, the Kimo battle, four fights in one night. I cannot forget that. Beating [Ken] Shamrock in less than a minute.
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