Fighters Only

Issue 128

May 2015

3 ROUNDS OF ACTION

1. JONES MAKES VELASQUEZ THREAT

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones might be in the middle of preparing for his next defense against Anthony Johnson, but that hasn’t stopped the 205lb king from talking up a potential fight with heavyweight kingpin Cain Velasquez.

During the ‘Welcome to the Show’ press conference prior to UFC 184, Jones was asked about a possible move to heavyweight in the future and ‘Bones’ was not only open to the switch but also admitted he fancied himself against the current champion.

“If I do go to heavyweight or when I do go to heavyweight, I do believe I have the skill-set to beat Cain,” Jones said. “Cain’s a magnificent opponent. My main reason for believing I’ll beat Cain is his size. He’s not one of those massive heavyweights who’s going to just outweigh and out-power me in every situation.”

Before any super-fight talk becomes reality however, Jones has ‘Rumble’ to contend with at UFC 187 on May 23rd, while Velasquez is set to defend against interim champion Fabricio Werdum three weeks later in Mexico.

FO SCORE: Now we’re truly talking superfights. After squashing former heavyweight standout and Velasquez’s chief sparring partner Daniel Cormier, Jones has new-found confidence to seriously consider a move up in weight class. And, once Rumble is dispatched, who’s Bones got left to beat at 205lb anyway?

2. KIMBO VS. KEN: FOR REAL THIS TIME

UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock will return to action for Bellator MMA against TUF 10 alumnus Kimbo Slice on June 20th. Seriously.

The two throwback heavyweights were originally set to face one another at Elite XC: Heat in October 2008, but Shamrock withdrew just hours before the bout when an accidental headbutt during his warm-up opened a severe cut above his eye.

Slice hasn’t fought in a cage since his 2010 loss to Matt Mitrione at UFC 113, though he has competed in the boxing ring, where he built a 7-0 pro record.

The 51-year-old Shamrock has also been inactive for some time. He last fought in November 2010 when he injured his hamstring on a King of the Cage card in South Africa.

FO SCORE: It might not be the scrap you’ve always wanted, but this is a marketable fight for Bellator between two fighters with big-name value, which will certainly draw more eyes to its product.

3. GSP UNLIKELY TO RETURN CONCEDES DANA

Despite rumors floating around regarding his imminent return, UFC president Dana White admitted he’s not sure whether Georges St Pierre will ever come back to the UFC.

Speaking during the UFC 184 post-fight press conference, White explained ‘Rush’ hasn’t shown much interest in competing again since he went on hiatus in 2013.

“I haven’t really spoken to him,” White said. “I’ve asked him if he wants to fight and things like that. You know, this is one of those sports – I say this all the time – if a guy doesn’t want to fight, the last thing you want to do is pressure a guy to fight.”

FO SCORE: It sucks Georges may never make it back to the Octagon, but his incredible welterweight legacy lives on. And with Anderson Silva’s career now under a mirky PED-abuser cloud, perhaps the French-Canadian will start to be gifted with MMA’s GOAT tag.

ON THE RADAR

Three red-hot prospects worth keeping an eye on...

Yuki Motoya, 13-4

Flyweight Yuki Motoya has been slowly making his way through the Japanese MMA scene for five years, but recently hit his best run of form, winning five fights in a row since December 2013, including a victory over Masakazu Imanari.

The 25-year-old has a good mix of striking and submission skills, which he combines outstandingly with his athleticism. One more impressive win could see him signed by one of the big boys this year.

Gustavo Gabriel, 6-0

This Nova Uniao flyweight is gigantic for the division. Standing at five-foot-six, he towers over most opponents at 125lb. Like many other fighters who have come from his world-renowned camp, he’s a well-rounded individual with explosive striking and a decent ground game. His wrestling could do with some work, but the fact he only turned 21 on April 1st, means he’s got plenty of time to improve.

Alexa Grasso, 7-0

If the UFC is looking for its next Mexican star then perhaps they should look no further than Invicta FC strawweight Alexa Grasso. The 21-year-old from Guadalajara put on a sterling performance against fellow prospect Mizuki Inoue at Invicta 11. She used fluid footwork and powerful striking to subdue the Japanese 115lb’er.

Grasso has heavy hands for her size. Her four TKOs prove she could become a force in the UFC’s newest division, which is steadily growing and hungry for new talent.

BROCK LESNAR - STAR SIGHTING

Who? WWE world heavyweight champion

Where? UFC 184, Staples Center, Los Angeles

The former UFC heavyweight champion was cageside in February to watch Ronda Rousey dispatch Cat Zingano. This appearance by the normally reclusive WWE superstar fueled more rumors about a possible return to MMA when his wrestling contract reportedly expires after Wrestlemania 31 at the end of this month.

QUOTES

“The thing people need to understand, a lot of these guys got caught with the old system of drug testing, so that shows it is only the tip of the iceberg. If they start doing random testing with a competent organization then that will change the sport dramatically... I just hope it will happen while I am in shape and can compete.”

The UFC’s PED stance could yet be enough to tempt Georges St Pierre back to the Octagon

“I’ll never look at Anderson (Silva) as a cheater... I don’t really know the whole situation, but I don’t believe he’s been doing it his whole career.”

UFC 205lb champ Jon Jones is finding Anderson’s PED bust hard to take too

“I can’t really say that it will happen this year. But what I can tell you is the fans should not give up, because this fight is closer than it has ever been – ever.“

Invicta CEO Shannon Knapp can’t help teasing the Rousey-Cyborg superfight

“How do you say something about the best that ever was? She is a classic in her field and a legend in her own time. I’ve been to two world fairs and an all-night gas station, and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

‘Judo’ Gene LeBell reacts after watching student Ronda Rousey submit Cat Zingano inside 14 seconds at UFC 184

“If you took the roster of the UFC’s bantamweights and you paired them up against Ronda Rousey, she might be able to beat 50% of them. That’s not a joke.”

UFC color commentator

Joe Rogan says what we were all thinking

INSTAGRA MMA

@thenotoriousmma

“Slipping hats and cashing cheques with Uncle Frank.”

@georgesstpierre

“Had a nice dinner with @Gilbertmelendez before visiting his El Nino Training Center - Great gym!”