Hype between Struve, McCorkle Culminates in Montreal

Stefan Struve (white trunks): Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com

On Saturday, he'll have the opportunity to back up his boasts as he takes on Stefan Struve at UFC 124 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Best known among hardcore fans for his cyber-taunts on MMA forums and Twitter, McCorkle thrust himself into the spotlight at UFC 119 in his hometown of Indianapolis when he submitted Pride Fighting Championships veteran Mark Hunt with a straight armbar from his back in the first round. When asked at Thursday's pre-fight press conference how it felt to go from virtual unknown to fighting on a pay-per-view in the span of two fights, McCorkle responded in typical “Big Sexy” fashion.

“I deserve every bit of it,” he said, maintaining a straight face for several seconds before breaking character and cracking a smile. “Honestly, it's surreal for me. I was a fan of these guys before I even started training. I’m just hoping I didn't get knocked out by Mark Hunt and I’m dreaming all this. I don't want it to end. It's been awesome.”

Leading up to the fight, McCorkle has called Struve out repeatedly via his Twitter account. The undefeated Indiana native has not only claimed he will defeat Struve but has also taken his taunts into the personal realm, claiming that he is more attractive than his opponent and would make Struve his “son” come fight night.

“People are resenting some of the stuff I say, but I’m not going to apologize for being funny or witty. I guess we'll see on Saturday night,” said McCorkle. “Stefan has a better resume than me, but that doesn't matter. It's going to come down to who's the tougher guy and who [executes] his game plan. Either way, I'll be better looking.”

Struve is not amused by McCorkle's banter.

“This is the first time someone has talked so much before fight. I immediately said I wasn't going back and forth over the Internet [with him].”

Struve's assertion that he has not engaged in the Web-hype is not exactly true, however, as a week ago he tweeted a plea to his fan base. The 6'11” Dutchman asked his followers to submit Photoshop distortions of McCorkle, with the winner receiving his UFC 124 gloves that he planned on using to “decapitate” his opponent.

The Team Schrijber representative enters the bout having won four of his last five fights. His only losses inside the Octagon have come to title challenger Junior dos Santos and former IFL champion Roy Nelson. At only 22-year-old, he holds a wealth of experience fighting on the sport's largest stage. By contrast, each of McCorkle's fights, save for his last one, have been contested at local shows in Indianapolis.

“I've seen enough footage of him on YouTube, maybe four of five fights. It was enough,” said Struve. “He's a tall guy, a little taller than last guy I fought. It's no problem. [I have] five or six guys [that tall] in my gym. He's good on the ground, but so am I. I think I’m better than him.”

One reporter at Friday's presser made note of Struve's bulkier frame, asking whether the weight gain was intentional. Though Struve is currently focused on McCorkle, “Skyscraper” provided some insight regarding his future plans as a UFC heavyweight.

“When I got into the UFC, I was 239,” said Struve, who weighed in Friday at 253 pounds. “I try to put weight on every fight. I want to get up to 280 or 290 and cut down, but I want to do it right -- no fat, only muscle.”