Issue 142

June 2016

Title-fight picks, UFC in NYC and celebrity beatdowns – it’s time for FO to question the pros

The Fighters


Tom Duquesnoy Jackson-Wink MMA’s hottest European prospect
Jake Heun WSOF’s Alaskan ‘Honey Bear’ light heavyweight
Mike Ricci Montreal striker on the rise in the WSOF cage
Jonavin Webb Renzo Gracie Philly’s welterweight up-and-comer

1 Q: Who are you picking at UFC 199 – Luke Rockhold or Chris Weidman? 

Tom Duquesnoy

A: I watched the first fight and it was crazy. I still think Luke will win the next fight but Weidman is a monster, so it will be close.

Jake Heun

A: Luke Rockhold is a different type of animal. I believe he’ll still be the champ after UFC 199. I would like to see him and Jon Jones get after it. 

Mike Ricci

A: Both Rockhold and Weidman are very dangerous individuals. Whoever executes first will win. It’s a 50/50 fight.

Jonavin Webb

A: Chris Weidman will win. I like Luke a lot but I also believe that Chris made only one small mistake and it cost him that first fight. That won’t happen again.


2 Q: Who do you want to fight next?

Tom Duquesnoy

A: I love belts. I’ve got three belts already so I’ll look for my fourth in my next fight and maybe a fifth. 

Jake Heun

A: Thiago Siva because he is a berserker, that Teddy Holder fight that never happened or maybe they will sign (Rafael) Calvacante. Those fights all interest me. 

Mike Ricci

A: Right now I should be fighting someone in the top 10 of the UFC, but until that happens it will be another meat bag for me to beat up on. 

Jonavin Webb

A: I’m taking time off as my daughter was born (in April). I’m using these next couple of months to find that fire I had when I started fighting and sharpen my tools. 


3 Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Tom Duquesnoy

A: Stay healthy, eat clean and have a good lifestyle. That’s pretty much the thing that works for me – a good lifestyle. Balanced and not extreme.

Jake Heun

A: To save your money. I’m still having trouble with that one though.

Mike Ricci

A: It’s pretty simple and it would be to stay consistent. As long as you’re in the gym training consistently everything seems to fall in place on the long run. 

Jonavin Webb

A: It was from my first BJJ coach and mentor Brian McPherson. He told me that sometimes it takes a step back to ultimately move forward.


4 Q: Who would you book to headline the first UFC event in New York City?

Tom Duquesnoy

A: Maybe something like José Aldo vs. Conor McGregor again. Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier would be crazy.

Jake Heun

A: I’d like to see Frankie Edgar vs. Conor McGregor at 145lb and UFC welterweight champ Robbie Lawler defend against GSP as the co-main event at Madison Square Garden.

Mike Ricci

A: I’d have to go with Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier. That’s a fight we all want to see. 

Jonavin Webb

A: It would be awesome to see a cross-division fight between Jon Jones and Chris Weidman – with them both being former champions and New York natives. 


5 Q: If you could fight any celebrity, who would you choose and why?

Tom Duquesnoy

A: It would be funny because I respect that guy, but it would be against Jean-Claude (Van Damme). It would be an easy match, but I’ve got a lot of respect for him.

Jake Heun

A: I’d love to fight Ted Cruz (presidential candidate). The guy seems like a real creep and looks like he could use a good liver kick.

Mike Ricci

A: It wouldn’t be fair. I’d end up looking like the bad guy. If I had to choose – probably Jet Li. I feel like the crowd would like that one. At least he knows a bit about fighting.

Jonavin Webb

A: I would want to fight Donald Trump. I’m not saying that because of my political views. I’m saying that because he just has a face that I would love to slap. 

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