Issue 125
November -0001
We asked four fighters from the MMA universe their opinions on five of the most relevant matters of the moment.
The Fighters
Q. What do you think is the most competitive and talent-stacked division in MMA
A. HARDY
“It has to be lightweight. There are so many guys there that could compete for the title.”
A. CORASSANI
“I can’t pick just one. It has to be 145lb and 155lb. They have the most technical and most skilled athletes on this planet. And they’re all in two divisions. I know I’m excited to watch fights in the 155lb division as well as my own.”
A. DAVIS
“I feel like 155lb has a lot of tough guys, but I also think bantamweight is pretty stacked. You’ve got TJ Dillashaw, Dominick Cruz, Renan Barao and Urijah Faber. I haven’t seen such a tough top-four in a while.”
A. GUIDA
“It’s hard for me to pick one. I obviously love the lighter weight guys but the middleweight division has grown the most over the last five years. There’s a lot of good guys in that weight class.”
Q. We’re a few weeks into the New Year now. Did you have a New Year’s resolution?
A. HARDY
“I try not to wait around for January 1st to make changes in my life. I’m much more of a ‘if it needs changing, change it right now’ kind of person.”
A. CORASSANI
“My resolution is to defeat Sam Sicilia on January 24th at the Tele2 Arena. I’ve been training hard towards beating that guy and that’s the best resolution I could make for myself.”
A. DAVIS
“I don’t really have any resolutions. That’s really not my thing.”
A. GUIDA
“We don’t do resolutions here. That’s for old people. When something needs to be done we just go ahead and do it. We try to enjoy every new year more than we did the last.”
Q. Who do you believe is the most deserving UFC 145lb title contender?
A. HARDY
“It’s gotta be Frankie Edgar. I was so impressed with his fight against Cub Swanson. He’s had so much experience against top-flight opponents and really I don’t think there’s anyone as qualified as Frankie Edgar to step in there.”
A. CORASSANI
“Frankie Edgar. Who else could it be? He always performs and he totally dominated Cub Swanson in their fight. I just can’t think of anyone else fighting for Aldo’s strap any time soon. Seriously, who else deserves a shot more than him?”
A. DAVIS
“Frankie Edgar, simply because he’s fought the tougher guys.”
A. GUIDA
“It has to be Frankie Edgar. He beat my boy Cub, who had an incredible win streak and was promised a title shot. I know other people have someone else in mind for a title shot but I don’t think it’s him.”
Q. The next 135lb title fight is set to be TJ Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz. Do you have a prediction?
A. HARDY
“I’m leaning towards Dillashaw – just based on the fact that he’s been more active. Team Alpha Male is on a tear right now. Dominick Cruz could’ve done with at least one more fight. I see it being a hard-fought decision.”
A. CORASSANI
“I believe TJ Dillashaw will win that fight. He’s a younger, upgraded version of Cruz and he’ll use his skills to beat him when they eventually fight.”
A. DAVIS
“Cruz is just too dynamic. He changes levels, he changes directions and moves too quickly. He does everything you should do and none of the things you shouldn’t do. That’s what makes a winner.”
A. GUIDA
“Dominick Cruz is one of the smartest fighters in the world. He ran through Mizugaki. However, TJ Dillashaw has looked fantastic this year too. I’m going to go with the younger, updated version.”
Q. Do you have a pick for 2014’s ‘KO of the Year’?
A. HARDY
“That’s a tough one. I’d be tempted to say Mike Wilkinson against Niklas Backstrom. That came out of nowhere. It was a huge win for Mike and a very unexpected one.”
A. CORASSANI
“That’s a tough question to ask because there was so many. I’ll say Max Holloway’s knockout of me, that was the best one because I really learned a lot about myself from that knockout.”
A. DAVIS
“I probably don’t watch enough fights to be able to answer that one.”
A. GUIDA
“I can’t pick just one. Josh Samman’s head-kick was awesome, Donald Cerrone’s head kick in Chicago was great and you can’t forget Dan Henderson’s KO of ‘Shogun’ too.”
