Issue 128
November -0001
We asked four fighters from the MMA universe their opinions on five of the most relative matters of the moment
The Fighters
Michael Page
“It definitely will harm his reputation, although it shouldn’t. People are quick to make their heroes villains... If you’re a true fan of the sport then this is a small mark on his reputation (compared) to what he’s achieved.”
Gabriel Gonzaga
“If you look at the numbers and what he’s done in the sport he’s up there. He’s made some mistakes but everyone makes mistakes in their life. The rules are there to punish him so let those who enforce the rules do what needs to be done.”
Phillipe Nover
“I believe he’s the GOAT whether he was on steroids or not. I don’t think he was on steroids in his two fights against Chris Weidman. Fighters on steroids could never have achieved what he did.”
Ross Pearson
“Without a doubt. Technically and skill-wise he’s the greatest fighter ever to compete in the UFC, regardless of what he may have done.”
Will Frankie Edgar prove too big and strong for Urijah Faber up at 145lb?
?Michael Page
“They’re both amazing fighters... It’s going to come down to whoever lands that particular punch or whoever continues to build up momentum. It’s a difficult one.”
Gabriel Gonzaga
“The featherweight division is such a great division so it’s hard to make a pick. I like both fighters so I’m not comfortable even making a pick on that fight.”
Phillipe Nover
“Frankie is far superior in skill and speed than Faber is and he’s the bigger man in the fight, which is strange because he’s usually smaller than his opponents. Now he’s actually going to be a bit bigger so he’ll have all the advantages.”
Ross Pearson
“Edgar has probably never fought anybody smaller than him and I believe it’s going to be a problem. He’s used to fighting guys much taller and stronger and having a shorter and stockier opponent is going to prove difficult.”
Jon Jones enjoys beating his opponents at their own game, but can he out-strike ‘Rumble’ Johnson?
?Michael Page
“He will out-strike Johnson. Johnson’s proven to rock with the best strikers and he’s a very powerful person, but he’s very wild too. I don’t believe anything will happen unless he lands that heavy hand in the first round.”
Gabriel Gonzaga
“Jon Jones is one of the best out there. And if he manages to keep his head on his shoulders he’ll be able to become an even better fighter. He’s unbeatable in his division right now.”
Phillipe Nover
Jones needs to score the takedown, grind it out until the second round and wait for Johnson to be flat-footed, then start striking with him. If he starts trading when Johnson’s at his most explosive there’s a risk he might get caught.”
Ross Pearson
“He won’t play that game. I see it being a similar fight to Glover, where Jon works a lot of clinch. He won’t be staying in punching or kicking range with Rumble. He’ll tire him out, take him down, wrestle him and strike from there.”
Weight cutting is a hot topic in MMA. What’s your most uncomfortable weight-cutting story?
?Michael Page
“I actually never have a problem with my weight cut. Fighters like to do things a bit too last-minute, but when I do all my cuts I do it four weeks out. A lot of people like to do it all in one hit in the last week.”
Gabriel Gonzaga
“No. Thank god I’m a heavyweight. The weight limit is so high and I’m not past the limit so I never have to worry about cutting weight.”
Phillipe Nover
“I had a terrible experience where I was 13lb over on the day of the weigh-in. I missed weight twice but finally got it off after about 12 hours of cutting. My whole body was cramping and I was questioning my career.”
Ross Pearson
“Anybody who has ever cut weight with Dominick Cruz knows what it’s like to cheat death. I was as close to death as I’ve ever been before I faced Junior Assuncao.”
Doctors may soon be able to test for brain trauma, but would you agree to be tested even if your career rested on the results?
Michael Page
“I rarely get hit so I’d definitely take that test (laughs). That’s not a problem for me. Boxers take more damage and if they compared the two sports, there would be a lot of boxers who wouldn’t be allowed to fight.”
Gabriel Gonzaga
“The problem would be who is going to do the tests? How do you know if they all have the same criteria? It’s really hard to control this because having so many fighters around the world would make it difficult.”
Phillipe Nover
“That could be a great safety measure. Not just for MMA, but for any combat sport. I don’t have anything against it if they wanted to test me... My friends would tell me if I was a little punch drunk though.”
Ross Pearson
“I was chosen by the UFC to be a part of a group of fighters who have their brain tested regularly to study the effects MMA has. I take it very seriously. I don’t want to be blowing bubbles aged 45.”
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