Issue 124
January 2015
We asked four fighters from the MMA universe their opinions on five of the most relevant matters of the moment.
The Fighters
Q1. Since MMA is a global sport these days, what country would you most like to experience fighting in?
KRAUSE
A. “I would love to fight in Japan. A different atmosphere where the crowd respects the martial arts aspect of the game.”
LAFLARE
A. “The United States! I would be even more detailed and say I want to fight in New York.”
STRAUS
A. “I would love to fight in Brazil, anywhere in Europe and definitely anywhere beautiful and warm. Preferably somewhere that understands English even just a little (laughs).”
MCGEARY
A. “I would love to fight in the UK. I’m from England but I’ve never fought in the UK so I’d want to fight there.”
Q2. What has been the most entertaining ‘Fight of the Year’ contender for you in 2014?
KRAUSE
A. “The entire Glory: Last Man Standing tournament was amazing. I really love the new aspect of the game they’re bringing. Very exciting to watch on TV.”
LAFLARE
A. “That José Aldo vs. Chad Mendes fight was ridiculous. That’s the one that comes to me off the top of my head. I’ll go with it.”
STRAUS
A. “Renan Barao vs. TJ Dillashaw was just an awesome fight.”
MCGEARY
A. “The most entertaining fight I’ve watched was Joe Schilling vs. Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 131. That was a great fight.”
Q3. Can Cat Zingano be the first woman to defeat Ronda Rousey when they face each other at UFC 184?
KRAUSE
A. “I’m not sure. Ronda is a killer in there but every champ has their bad match-ups.”
LAFLARE
A. “No. Ronda Rousey just keeps getting better and better. Eventually she is going to be a force that can’t be reckoned with – if she isn’t already.”
STRAUS
A. “Each fight Cat Zingano has gotten more and more impressive, but I think Ronda just has something special going right now. It’s gonna take an actual true ninja to beat her.”
MCGEARY
A. “Yes. I believe Cat has a very good chance of beating her. She’s a very well rounded and aggressive fighter.”
Q4. With the recent UFC signing of Seo Hee Ham, otherwise known as ‘Hamderlei Silva’, what’s the best nickname you’ve heard for an MMA fighter?
KRAUSE
A.“There are a lot of good nicknames out there. Off the top of my head I’ll go with Ian McCall and ‘Uncle Creepy’
LAFLARE
A. “Wow! That’s a pretty funny one. That’s hilarious. That one tops all others that I can think of.”
STRAUS
A. “I actually fought a guy who’s nickname was Lester ‘I get more b**ches then Dan Straus’ Caslow (laughs). That is by far the funniest nickname and entrance I’ve ever experienced.”
MCGEARY
A. “A friend of mine in Australia is called Guy ‘The Tooth Fairy’ Bradley. He says, ‘Could you imagine someone being asked, ‘Who knocked your teeth out?’ Then them answering, ‘The Tooth Fairy!’ (laughs).”
Q5. What super-fight would you be most interested in seeing in 2015?
KRAUSE
A. “Pettis vs. Aldo up at lightweight. That’s a fight right there.”
LAFLARE
A. “I would like to see Chris Weidman vs. Jon Jones. That would be interesting. Maybe Anthony Pettis and José Aldo would be fun to watch too.”
STRAUS
A. “Me versus any fighter that wants some. But I would love to see Michael Chandler vs. Pat Curran. Granted it most likely wouldn’t happen, but hey, I think that would be a good fight to watch.”
MCGEARY
A. “The super-fight I’d most like to see is one that’s already scheduled between Nick Diaz and Anderson Silva. Diaz has great striking, Anderson has great striking... That’s going to be an entertaining fight.”
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