Issue 129
June 2015
We asked four fighters from the MMA universe their opinions on five of the most relative matters of the moment
The Fighters
Q. We have Conor McGregor as this issue’s cover star, but does he have the ability to defeat UFC featherweight champion José Aldo?
Marion Reneau
“He has the ability to talk s**t, but I don’t think he can beat Aldo. He’s digging a grave for himself with all of this talk. I don’t think he’s ready for this fight.”
Aljamain Sterling
“He has. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him rattled in any of his fights. In each fight the platform for him has grown and that alone shows he’s a mentally strong person who believes in what he’s doing. It’s going to be a fun fight.”
Justin Gaethje
“I love José Aldo, especially the way that he fights. McGregor says Aldo has one style and he’s right, but he has to stop it. I love the way the UFC has built up this fight. I’m just not sure who is going to win.”
Tecia Torres
“He has the ability to beat Aldo, but I don’t think he will. It’s a fight and anything can happen, so you don’t want to count anybody out. However, I believe José will win.”
Q. We review some of MMA’s maddest moments this month, but what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen an MMA promotion attempt?
Marion Reneau
“The craziest idea I’ve heard recently is that a cheerleader wants to fight Ronda Rousey. Honestly, it just seems like a publicity stunt to me, but it’s still crazy.”
Aljamain Sterling
“That team MMA stuff that I keep on seeing on Facebook. I don’t understand that at all. I’ve even seen a four vs. four match too. It was crazy.”
Justin Gaethje
“I’ve seen some guys do that team fighting stuff. That s**t looks crazy, man. It’s really dangerous and I’ve definitely clicked on it while on Facebook.”
Tecia Torres
“I saw team MMA on Facebook recently. It was all on an obstacle course sort of thing. That definitely looked crazy and very dangerous. I don’t think it would catch on in the US.”
Q. WSOF recently signed Ben Fodor, aka masked crimefighter ‘Phoenix Jones’. If you were a superhero what would be your name and super power?
Marion Reneau
“I’d want the power to read minds so I could know what my opponent is thinking during a fight. My son says my superhero identity should be ‘Mama Bruiser’ (laughs).”
Aljamain Sterling
“I always liked The Flash because he reminds me a little of my fight style. You can’t touch that guy because he’s so fast but he can touch you. I’d just take his powers and call myself ‘Mr. Funktastic.’”
Justin Gaethje
“I’d call myself ‘The Highlight’ and I’d have super strength and the ability to fly so I could help people as much as possible.”
Tecia Torres
“I’d want to keep my nickname as ‘Tiny Tornado’ because it encompasses all that I am. My super power would be to make myself teleport wherever I want in the world.”
Q. Rafael dos Anjos was a heavy underdog when he took the UFC title from Anthony Pettis. What’s the craziest upset you’ve seen in MMA?
Marion Reneau
“I’d actually say that Cat Zingano vs. Ronda Rousey was an upset because I don’t think Cat performed to the best of her abilities in that fight.”
Aljamain Sterling
“Dillashaw vs. Barao. I thought the fight would be close but Barao always has that one-shot kill. He’s landed it on everyone but he couldn’t do it to Dillashaw. I thought Dillashaw’s speed would be the difference and it turned out to be.”
Justin Gaethje
“The most surprising fight I’ve seen recently was Carla Esparza against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. I didn’t know much about her and she impressed me so much. I loved her attitude and the way she fights.”
Tecia Torres
“Probably Chris Weidman beating Anderson Silva. Silva was such a great fighter for so long and Weidman was able to take him out twice. He doesn’t have the same sort of aura he had before although I’m still a huge fan of his.”
Q. Blackzilians will take on American Top Team for this season of TUF. Which other gyms would you like to see face each other?
Marion Reneau
“I know I’d like to see Kings MMA against another gym because Master Rafael Cordeiro is creating some amazing fighters.”
Aljamain Sterling
“It would be fun to watch Team Alpha Male vs. Team Serra-Longo. We’ve all got some very talented guys in our gym so it could be fun television for sure.”
Justin Gaethje
“I’d put Grudge Training Center against any other gym out there. We’ve got plenty of good up-and-coming fighters so that would be awesome to see.”
Tecia Torres
“It’d be cool to have ATT against another gym, but have it against women this time. There are a lot of top female athletes at our gym who aren’t in the UFC so it would be great.”
...
