Issue 133
November -0001
We ask four fighters their opinions on Bader’s title chance and banning IVs
The Fighters
Q: Do you think Ryan Bader should have been given the first shot at Daniel Cormier’s 205lb belt instead of Alexander Gustafsson?
Jimmie Rivera
A: He’s not there yet. He doesn’t deserve a shot yet and Alexander did. Maybe eventually he’ll get the shot, but not just yet.
Marcus Brimage
A: I don’t know anything about UFC politics outside my fights. To me, that’s just a distraction. It has nothing to do with me, so I don’t give it any energy.
Chris de la Rocha
A: Yeah, he’s been on a run of late, and with both of them being wrestlers it would’ve been an interesting fight. It would’ve boiled down to whoever has the better hands.
Paul Bradley
A: It’s all about marketing, but I get where these promotions are coming from. I hate to see guys work hard, beat top-level guys and not get their shot, but it’s a business and you have to be marketable.
2 Q: MMA is full of incredible comeback victories, but what’s been the most impressive one you’ve ever seen?
Jimmie Rivera
A: I’d have to say the (Robbie) Lawler and (Johny) Hendricks fight. Hendricks won that first one and it was close, and in the second one, Lawler really got better and took it to him.
Marcus Brimage
A: Pat Barry vs. Cheick Kongo was the craziest fight in MMA history. Ain’t nothing going to beat that. To be knocked out twice, get up and then knock that person out. That’s incredible.
Chris de la Rocha
A: The Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen fight. He had about 30 seconds left and Chael had put a whooping on him the whole fight, so for Silva to then get the triangle is something of legend.
Paul Bradley
A: I was brought in as a sacrificial lamb for Karl Amoussou. They were looking to put him on the map against me. I lost the first round but came back in the next two. That was a really special moment.
3 Q: Fighters have quit MMA to do various other jobs over the years, so what do you plan on doing once your MMA career is over?
Jimmie Rivera
A: I actually own a Tiger Schulmann school, so every morning I wake up, I train and then I head to the school from 4-10pm. I teach kids and adults, so when I retire that’s going to be my main thing.
Marcus Brimage
A: We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now, I’m focusing on getting every benefit I can from being a fighter in the UFC. I’m not worried about plan B because I’m still stuck on plan A.
Chris de la Rocha
A: I’ll probably still be a corrections officer. I’ve always had a dream of owning my own gym, so either that or, like I say, I’d fall back into the Department of Corrections.
Paul Bradley
A: I’ve already started a business: I run wrestling camps and clubs. I grew up wrestling so it’s a way to give back and it’s something I love. I’m looking at the bigger picture. I know I can’t fight forever.
4 Q: What do you think about USADA prohibiting the use of IVs in MMA?
Jimmie Rivera
A: It’s going to be really interesting. A lot of fighters dehydrate themselves a lot, but I’m sure they’ll figure out a way to rehydrate without an IV. Some might even move up weight classes.
Marcus Brimage
A: Cutting weight is unhealthy. I grew up wrestling and had to cut so much weight it almost killed me. The ban is going to deter guys from cutting large amounts of weight. It’s a good deterrent.
Chris de la Rocha
A: Cutting weight is unhealthy. I grew up wrestling and had to cut so much weight it almost killed me. The ban is going to deter guys from cutting large amounts of weight. It’s a good deterrent.
Paul Bradley
Q: Train Hard Fight Easy returns this issue, featuring some of the best coaches in the world. But who is the greatest coach that you’ve worked with?
5 Q: Train Hard Fight Easy returns this issue, featuring some of the best coaches in the world. But who is the greatest coach that you’ve worked with?
Jimmie Rivera
A: My coach Danny Schulmann. Every fighter will say their coach because they have that relationship. I’ve known him since I was a little kid and he’s been coaching me since I was 17.
Marcus Brimage
A: There are so many people who have helped me along my career. Truth be told, they were all great. Each one gave me a little bit of advice and I’ve been able to use that so I can’t say just one person.
Chris de la Rocha
A: My coach, Trevor Burnell. He’s like the hidden secret in MMA. He has an innate ability to know what needs to be done in a fight.
Paul Bradley
A: Tony Palafox, my striking and MMA coach. He took the time to work with me when I had no money. He’s like a father figure. I’ve worked with him for three years. My hands and kicks are so much better.
