Issue 183
November -0001
The Professionals
There was a lot of trash talk leading up to the Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal scrap. Were you OK with Masvidal’s actions in the aftermath, or did he take it too far?
Jason Knight
A I love Ben but I believe that he talked so much and crossed the line first, so I think he deserved whatever came his way.
Honorio Banario
A I think what Masvidal did to Askren is not that bad. You know it’s a fight and things happen in a fight and I think Masvidal tried to gave Askren a lesson.
Justin Baesman
I don’t think he took it too far. It most definitely got everyone’s attention but I didn’t think it was too much.
Jeremiah Labiano
As a fighter, it’s your job to keep fighting until the ref pulls you off, so I thought it was fair play. I would have done the same thing.
The Bottle Cap challenge has taken social media by storm. Have you attempted it and if so what was the result?
Knight:
A Yes I did it. I had a buddy hold my water bottle and I kicked the lid off but I didn’t know there were rules to it. So, the challenge police quickly told me my video wasn’t good enough! I will try again. I might not ever make that happen but I’m gonna try.
Banario:
Bottle Cap challenge? Never tried it. (Laughs)
Baesman:
I haven’t done the Bottle Cap challenge yet, but I plan on it.
Labiano:
Yes. I kicked the top off a bottle of tequila and woke up the next day with a hangover.
Jan Blachowicz said that he watched Michael Bisping’s KO of Luke Rockhold 10,000 times. Was there a fighter who unknowingly helped you secure a win against an opponent?
Knight:
A The night Chase Sherman KOed Rashad Coulter. We fought on the same card in Dallas. Chase fought one fight before me and after he got that KO, I was so pumped up there was no way I was gonna lose. I scored a 3rd round TKO over Chas Skelly.
Banario:
Well, I have to say GSP. Watching him fight tougher opponents motivated me to face and beat tougher opponents also.
Baesman
For me, Douglas Lima is that guy. His style, his training, he’s just a beast in there.
Labiano
I can’t say that’s happened to me.
Luke Rockhold made an unsuccessful jump up to light heavyweight. What do you think his future holds?
Knight:
I think Luke Rockhold should have stayed at middleweight. I’m not sure what he will do but I think he should move back down.
Benario:
I don;t know what his future is in that division, but if he tries harder and never gives up I think he has a chance.
Baesman:
For Luke, I think he should go back down to middleweight and go harder.
Labiano:
I think he’s done enough in his MMA career and I think he has nothing else to prove. He’s been brutally knocked out a couple of times in his most recent fights and I think it’s time for him to hang it up.
Jon Jones mentioned how Holly Holm’s vicious KO loss affected him prior to his fight. Have you ever had a similar situation which has affected your performance?
Knight:
There have been times when I was the main event and half of my team lost before I even fought. It definitely made me feel pressure to win. I’d rather fight solo on a card so that my teammates don’t affect my mindset before the fight.
Benario: Yes I have. When I see my teammate lose it affects me also going into my fight.
Baesman:
It’s kind of hard on the head to see something like that but when you’re ready mentally and physically nothing can stop you.
Labiano:
That has happened to me once after watching a former teammate lose before I fought for a title. I think it motivated me to perform at my best and to walk away with the win that night. After five rounds I secured a dominant unanimous decision win.
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