Issue 125
February 2015
The biggest things we think, hope and hear might happen in mixed martial arts over the next 12 months.
Ever spent a birthday cake wish on a UFC super-fight like Anderson Silva vs. Georges St Pierre? Yes? Then you’re our kind of people. Being an MMA addict involves watching a UFC show beamed from the other side of the planet at 5am, catching every single weigh-in and living in joyful hope that UFC champ Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano might actually face off in the Octagon one day.
It’s that kind of optimism that made us wonder, if we could wish for anything to happen in mixed martial arts in the next year, what would it be? No occurrence too unlikely, no dream too big – we’ve truly searched our hearts to answer the question.
From Brock Lesnar’s return to Bellator taking another step up to truly rival the UFC, this is Fighters Only’s ultimate fan wish list for 2015.
RETURN OF THE BROCK
The Past
We experienced many shades of Brock Lesnar during his 2008–2011 UFC stint – when the on-off pro wrestler’s presence cued untold exposure for the company. The 265lb giant came in many forms. First, there was the salty debutant, then the aggressive give-no-s**ts pay-per-view king and finally the humble-ish ex-champion. The only Lesnar we didn’t see in the Octagon was one that was fully fit, according to those closest to him. Could that change in 2015?
Back in January 2014, Lesnar’s WWE on-screen manager and real-life confidant Paul Heyman revealed there was never a period during the Minnesotan muscle-man’s UFC tenure where he wasn’t either fighting or recovering from diverticulitis, a crippling intestinal disease. We knew he had it when it canceled a fight with Shane Carwin in late 2009 and again versus Junior Dos Santos in 2011, but it was believed he was healthy every time the cage door closed. Not so, it seems.
Aside from winning the UFC heavyweight title by TKO’ing living MMA legend Randy Couture, Lesnar’s sound bites, hatred of Frank Mir and bull-in-a-china-shop style of combat diverted the gaze of a legion of pro wrestling fans from the squared circle to the cage. He turned them into hardcore full-contact fighting disciples. He was arguably the catalyst for an MMA boom, which the sport is still feeling the benefits of to this day.
Considering some believe he never showed how good he truly is – even during a two-year championship run – and his potential for converting another generation of WWE fans in 2015, you can see why fans are getting hot and bothered about hints of his return to the Octagon.
“He looks phenomenal strength-wise. He’s just scary looking… I see no reason he couldn’t have the potential to return to the UFC and sell pay-per-views,” said long-time WWE commentator and MMA fan Jim Ross in October.
Blend it all with UFC president Dana White’s confirmation that all these whispers are more than just hearsay, and you have a very excited MMA populous.
The Future?
If you step away from the small-scale hysteria, you have to ask who Lesnar’s comeback opponent would be should he return to the UFC heavyweight division? There’s no point in giving him an up-and-comer who, in the unpredictable parameters of big men punching other big men, could upset and/or expose the likely little-evolved game of the ground ‘n’ pound savant. Coming off a two-fight losing streak, a title shot is also unlikely. Realistically, you want him to meet a big name, like a Junior Dos Santos or a Mark Hunt. His old foe Frank Mir might not be out of the question either.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
The past
Why do all MMA super-fans want their sport to be legalized in the state of New York? They’ve probably forgotten themselves. The Empire State politicians have twiddled their thumbs for that long. To jog their memory, or for the uninitiated, an event in the mecca of global media equals gargantuan brand exposure, millions of dollars and checking the iconic Madison Square Garden off the Octagon’s bucket list.
Since at least 2010, a bill to legalize MMA in the state has never gone through the gauntlet of political approvals. Why? Primarily, it seems, because of the clout of the Culinary Workers’ Union making life hard for UFC part owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. And, if a 2013 report from a New York tabloid is to be believed, because important people are making more money every year by stalling the sport’s push onto the right side of the law. More than $1.5 million is rumored to have been spent in political contributions and lobbying.
The future?
It’d be neat if MMA was legalized in New York State for no other reason than we’d stop hearing about its failure every year. Aside from that, no true guru of the game can say they wouldn’t want to see a mega-fight between New Yorker UFC 205lb and 185lb champs Jon Jones and Chris Weidman. Put that light heavyweight gold on the line and you’re talking sport-changing interest and a history-making result whatever happens.
GEORGES ST PIERRE: BRING SEXY BACK
The past
There’s a fantastic argument for record-breaking UFC welterweight king Georges St Pierre being the best mixed martial artist ever. Undefeated since 2007, nine consecutive title defences against top-quality opposition with a dominant yet ever-improving skill set – the same reasons why we want the Canadian all-rounder to return to the UFC so badly.
Entering semi-retirement at the end of 2013, he did what few former combat champions could by dropping his belt on a high, not a loss. Although he cited a release from the pressure of being champion as to why, the 33-year-old later revealed concerns about lax drug testing in MMA played a significant part.
His head trainer Firas Zahabi and UFC boss Dana White said they think St Pierre will return. As time has passed he seems to get warmer to the idea, though he also recently revealed he still had doubts: “I have a lack of motivation… I need to reinvent myself to become a much better version than what I was,” he told Chael Sonnen on his You’re Welcome podcast.
The future?
St Pierre vs. Lawler anyone? Considering GSP’s competitive nature, it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t want current UFC 170lb title-holder Robbie Lawler and a chance to re-gain UFC gold for his first fight back. Now that several UFC fighters were subject to random and more demanding drugs tests in the past 12 months, perhaps ‘Rush’ will feel the time is right in 2015.
Should a potential Lawler contest not stir the shaven-headed fox’s pot, he has expressed super-fight interest previously. The fight of every fan’s dreams a few years ago was a champion vs. champion contest with middleweight great Anderson Silva. It looked to be tantalizingly close to fruition, but St Pierre’s concerns about adding muscle mass for the 185lb limit, then losing it to defend his welterweight strap, killed it. But, guess who doesn’t have to worry about making 170lb any more? Add Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort and Chris Weidman to our most-desired GSP matches.
GAME OF THRONES: UFC VS. BELLATOR
The Past
House White vs. House Coker. UFC vs. Bellator. Enemy clans out to fell the other by the most dramatic means possible. In the next 12 months, MMA could get a kick in the rear via a Game of Thrones-style promotional power struggle. Based on the near-delirious reception of the glitzy, high-production Bellator 131 card headlined by Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar in November, Scott Coker’s crew could be about to make a play for some of the UFC’s market share.
The background fits too. Lord Coker of Bellator, a former Strikeforce enemy turned Zuffa ally then Bellator turncloak, has the big-money backing of worldwide media giant Viacom. The dominant people’s choice, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, recruits one of its rival’s most fearsome warriors, Eddie Alvarez, then allows former sellsword Stephan Bonnar to cross enemy lines in an attempt to take down cash cow and traitor Tito Ortiz.
The Future?
Fans would love to actually have a tough viewing decision to make in 2015. It’s Saturday night; do you watch the massive Bellator card everyone’s talking about, or the stacked UFC show? It would mean a can’t-miss feeling MMA only produces once in a while. Plus, two companies in active competition means lower prices for you, better products and leverage for fighters to negotiate thicker pay packets.
FIGHT TEAMS GO COMMERCIAL
The Past
In July, UFC fighters will start to earn guaranteed income thanks to the new Reebok-UFC uniform deal, which sees them take a share of the revenue from merchandise sales. But what fan doesn’t want their favorite fighter to get an even bigger piece of that MMA money pie in 2015?
Over the years, the sport has lured sportswear giants like Nike and Adidas, and blue-chip brands like Budweiser because those companies know there’s gold in these here hills. But how long before an apparel-maker realizes how to get its name on UFC broadcasts, and into the words you read in print and online, without being called Reebok? Or a beer company thinks outside the box and recognizes it doesn’t have to negotiate Octagon canvas real estate to get UFC exposure?
The Future?
We’re not sure the following happens in 2015, but we wouldn’t slacken our jaw for a second if it did within the next few years. A fight camp owned by a brand.
Imagine Pepsi dropping mega money for complete control of American Kickboxing Academy and renaming it Pepsi MMA. The fighters love it because of a potential monthly wage, not to mention all those complimentary sugary drinks (just not during fight camp). The beverage behemoth adores it because the UFC commentators can gush about all the studs coming out of Team Pepsi. Every report, interview and preview gets a dash of Pepsi.
Of course, it doesn’t have to be a consumer brand. If a top MMA clothing company really wants UFC airtime, maybe Alliance MMA becomes Bad Boy MMA. That kind of deal could keep historic fight brands we know and love out of the red.
What if the fighters start losing and reducing the value of the investment? Complete control would give them the power to hire and fire coaches, just like a ‘traditional’ sports franchise
It sounds a bit mad, but since when has mixed martial arts history ever toed the line?
MCGREGOR INTO THE MAINSTREAM
The Past
It’s no secret Dana White thinks fan-favorite Irishman Conor McGregor has the tools to make his company a pot of gold. Not every UFC featherweight gets a spin in the boss-man’s Ferrari and access to one of the nation’s best surgeons after going 2-0 on preliminary cards. Why the 26-year-old? Because he’s one of the UFC’s best quote machines and he has a habit of finishing fights.
The Future?
Conor McGregor on Jimmy Kimmel, Good Morning America and snapped courtside watching the Boston Celtics next to Mark Wahlberg? In 2015, we’d love to see what ‘The Notorious’ could do with the attention of the US media. He’s enraptured Ireland and the MMA world, but get on the lips of that global tastemaker – just like Ronda Rousey – and we’re talking more eyes and massive-capacity events than you can shake a shamrock at.
JIM ROSS AND CHAEL SONNEN AS UFC COMMENTATORS
The Past
Don’t get us wrong. Chael P. Sonnen is great with a camera in his face, a suit on his back and a desk between the two of them. Now we’ve had an earful of the now-retired fighter as a color commentator, he’s top of our list to enter the UFC booth. We liked what we heard when he called for Battlegrounds MMA with pro-wrestling-announcing legend Jim Ross in October.
The West Linn gangster has a combination of knowledge, experience and humor that’s rare for someone who can communicate clearly, effectively and confidently. Similarly, Ross isn’t regarded as the voice of the WWE for nothing. He could make you care by keeping the storyline of a match his priority. Though 2014 marked his first ever live MMA call in more than three decades of broadcasting, he was a hit with fans. And, just like having a financial investment in the strength of Matt Mitrione’s chin made you enjoy his last fight that much more, owning an emotional stake courtesy of ‘Good Ol’ JR’ can do the same.
The Future?
The worst part about Ross and Sonnen’s lone commentating venture was barely anyone heard it. It was tucked away on a pay-per-view broadcast from a regional show enjoying a growth spurt. The only way to get one or both of these men recognized for their talents is to slide a UFC contract their way. In return, the world’s biggest promotion upgrades an already sturdy commentary booth and we get an even better broadcast experience.
ROUSEY VS. CARANO
The Past
As much as you’ll complain you’d much rather see Ronda Rousey fight a ‘legitimate’ contender, you know you’ll be there – just like the rest of us. Watching ‘Rowdy’ defend the UFC women’s bantamweight title against Gina Carano – the woman she wrestled the ‘queen of MMA’ crown from – is the biggest fight to be made in all of WMMA. That’s if the former Elite XC and Strikeforce striker ever signs to fight ‘Rowdy’.
However, like so many in-demand ladies before her, 32-year-old Carano is playing hard to get. Not only does she have a Hollywood career simmering in the background, she and Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ set a Strikeforce ratings record with 856,000 US viewers in 2009. That means she’s valuable and she has options.
Until early 2014, it was thought ‘Conviction’ – who hasn’t competed since that ’09 TKO loss, had little interest in a return to fighting. Then, rumors began to trickle out in early 2014 that she was in talks with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. They were soon confirmed and UFC president Dana White all but assured the public the deal was nearly done, but the final announcement has yet to find its way onto a press release.
The Future?
We’d love to see this, but both parties can live without each other. They’d make a lot of money together, but they’ll still do very well if they don’t through fighting and making movies. But, what if? The likely outcome would be a one-sided Ronda win, but the sellable storyline of a female fighting icon coming back for one more round and two of MMA’s most articulate and attractive promoters wooing the North American and worldwide mainstream. If that isn’t a recipe for one of the biggest cards of 2015, and a massive sport-improving spotlight, what is? Failing that, we’d settle for the second prize of a Rousey title defense against ‘Cyborg’.
2015 DREAMS
- The UFC hits Poland and discovers it’s MMA mad.
- One FC steps up and becomes a real replacement for Pride.
- A Japanese fighter storms the UFC, becomes the new Kazushi Sakuraba and revitalizes the sport in the Land of the Rising Sun.
- UFC featherweight champ José Aldo continues where he left off against Chad Mendes in November and becomes the all-action champion we know he can be.
- Former UFC bantamweight champions Dominick Cruz and Renan Barao actually fight each other after years of injuries and missed fights.
