Issue 189
November -0001
Fighter of the 2010s; Conor McGregor’s champ-champ chances; Khabib retirement; Masvidal v GSP and prospects for 2020 from four top professionals
The Fighters
1 Now that the decade of 2010 has ended, who would you say was the Fighter of the Decade?
Neamtu-Moeller
A With what she accomplished over the decade, I think it has to be Amanda Nunes.
Remedios
A Tough one. I think it’s a toss up between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Demetrious Johnson.
Sims
A Jon Jones. Some people may claim he’s tarnished by scandals but you can’t deny the guy has never tasted defeat and he has beaten all the best in his weight class.
Fletcher
A My pick for fighter of the decade is Donald Cerrone. For me, he’s just what fighting and competition is all about. He’s ready to go 24/7 and win, lose or draw, he puts it all in and people seem to appreciate this and love him regardless of outcome.
2 Conor McGregor said his goal is to become both UFC lightweight and UFC welterweight champion in 2020. Is there any chance that happens?
Neamtu-Moeller
A I don’t think there is a chance Conor captures both titles.
Remedios
A Unlikely. He never had Khabib in trouble. That said, he has magic in his hands and now he’s beaten Cowboy, he may get gifted with a shot.
Sims
A I think he has a better chance getting the old man he decked to drink Proper Twelve.
Fletcher
A Who knows with Conor. He’s a self-belief master, so it’s hard to rule him out of anything because of his passion and self belief. He believes in himself so much once he starts talking it’s hard not to start believing, too!
3 Khabib Nurmagomedov has said repeatedly that he plans on retiring sooner rather than later. Do you see him retiring this year?
Neamtu-Moeller
A No, I would give it another year probably. I think he might retire next year.
Remedios
A As a fan, I hope not but you don’t know what goes on in another person’s mind. Only Khabib knows the answer to that question.
Sims
A Khabib Nurmagomedov would be in the top three Fighters of the Decade. I think he is still very much in shape and healthy so he has plenty of fight left in him. Only he can call that shot. We will see.
Fletcher
A I think it’s possible. I’m sure with what he’s achieved he’ll have opened a lot of other financial doors and it doesn’t seem he enjoys the limited construct of the UFC. Hopefully he’ll start off some man vs. animal back yard bear fighting organization.
4 Jorge Masvidal recently said he would like to bring GSP out of retirement to retire him again. How do you think that scrap would go down?
Neamtu-Moeller
A I have Jorge Masvidal most likely winning but GSP could surprise us as he usually does.
Remedios
A I see it pretty one sided in GSP’s favor. Masvidal is very good but GSP is probably the GOAT. He fights guys that we think will murder him, like prime Thiago Alves, and makes it lopsided.
Sims
A Be careful what you ask for. I never count GSP out. Even that first UFC fight when he was in my locker room scared as hell while Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman and Bill Goldberg were all yelling profanities at me. Ask GSP about that. It’s a great story!
Fletcher
A GSP was always an amazing competitor. I think the hard work in fight camps took a toll on him and this is what keeps him inactive. I think it’d go the same way as the Ben Askren fight or a KO for Jorge or he’d be pushed through the fence like chips or glued to the ground like he was stuck in Spiderman’s web.
5 If we were to interview you at the end of 2020, what will you be the saying about your year inside the cage?
Neamtu-Moeller
A If we were talking at the end of the year, we would be saying that it’s been the most successful and active year of my MMA career.
Remedios
A I haven’t fought MMA for years and have no intention to do so this year (laughs). I’m happily retired and just play at a bit of jiu-jitsu.
Sims
A I would say “Ya Heard?”
Fletcher
A I achieved more than I thought I would. I was never confident going into any fight. I hid my massive insecurities behind a mask and my bizarre personality. So, as the most unathletic, introverted person I know, I think I did well to make a career out of pretending not to be for the last 10 years.
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