Fighters Only

Issue 122

December 2014

1. BJ PENN PAID ‘$22K’ FOR DOLCE NUTRITION COACHING BEFORE FINAL FIGHT

Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn has engaged in a war of words with award-winning diet coach Mike Dolce. Penn says Dolce was paid $22,000 for 21 days of assistance during his final training camp in preparation to fight Frankie Edgar at featherweight in July and wasn’t as advertised.

Problems first arose in August when Penn said to BJPenn.com he would “never hire” Dolce again. A month later Dolce told The Joe Rogan Experience podcast his suggestions in training camp were sometimes ignored and said Penn didn’t train enough and he was “more like a chef.”

In reply, Penn insisted that wasn’t the case. “He brought in sparring partners, did my food and diet, and had me do his treadmill, plyometrics, and core routines.” And said Dolce wasn’t as hands-on after the weigh-in as he expected. Penn added: “I guess that was my job to focus on the food, and my weight, and the money was charity for the Dolce Diet.”

FO SCORE: It’s hard to know where the truth lies in instances like this. It’s unlikely to slow demand for the ever-popular Dolce, however.

2. UFC SEEKING TO ADD RANDOM DRUG TESTING

The UFC is in discussion with several independent drug testing bodies as it seeks to implement random, year-round blood and urine screenings for all fighters.

Currently, UFC competitors are only subject to random tests when they compete under governing bodies that have the ability to carry out enhanced screenings. Otherwise commissions, or the UFC itself in regions without a similar entity, only test on fight night, opening up the opportunity for PED cheats to exploit the system.

UFC vice president of regulatory affairs Marc Ratner told ESPN he hoped to have a deal done by the end of the year.

FO SCORE: Perhaps the most interesting part is that former UFC 170lb champ Georges St Pierre said he’d only return to the UFC when random, independent drug testing was the norm. Could the French-Canadian be about to make a comeback?

3. COUTURE ‘NOT OPPOSED TO’ FEDOR GRAPPLING MATCH

Former multi-time UFC champion Randy Couture has said he thinks a submission match with Pride heavyweight great Fedor Emelianenko would be “a lot of fun.”

When asked by Submission Radio whether he would agree to a contest with the Russian in all-grappling promotion Metamoris, Couture said it would be interesting.

“Given the time to prepare and get back up into good, solid grappling and wrestling shape, that would be a lot of fun and I think, you know, I’m not sure how active Fedor is at this stage, you know him being retired as well, but I’m certainly not opposed to an idea like that.”

FO SCORE: Seven years ago an MMA fight between Emelianenko and Couture was the holy grail of mixed martial arts. All these years later the two would still be a draw under grappling rules.

ON THE RADAR

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

Charles Rosa, 9-0

Although Charles Rosa’s striking is a little raw, there’s nothing wrong with his submission grappling. The exciting culinary school grad even got his most recent armbar win in August seconds after suffering a dislocated shoulder. Thanks to an aggressive guard, the undefeated American Top Team prospect has submitted six of his nine opponents (he’s TKO’d the other three). It’s fair to note some of his earlier competition did have losing records, but far more experience.

Islam Makhachev, 11-0

A close training partner of UFC contender Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev could be a force at 155lb. That’s thanks to the Russian (listed as Ukrainian on Sherdog) using the same brand of relentless and aggressive wrestling as his UFC pal – although Makhachev’s a little more reckless (he’ll sometimes shoot himself into a guillotine). His biggest scalp came last year, a decision over well rated BAMMA UK champ Mansour Barnaoui, and between his abilities and his connections, expect to see him in the US soon.

Kamaru Usman, 5-1

Former NCAA Division II wrestling champ Kamaru Usman might only be 5-1, but he’s been scoring that record while helping improve the grappling chops of the elite Blackzilians team. All of his wins have come by TKO, with his only loss by rear naked choke. His most recent victory, a two-round strikes win over six-fight WEC vet Marcus Hicks,is likely to have turned heads among top-league matchmakers.

QUOTES

“Believe me, I have been guilty of many a boring fight. I’m not going to lie. I’ve been bored during my own fights.”

Surprisingly not a confession from grapple blanket Jon Fitch. It was former UFC bantamweight and women’s MMA veteran Julie Kedzie

“I’m over this thing of being champion, having the title. The truth is, there will only be one Ayrton Senna, there will only be one Pele, and there will only be one Anderson Silva.”

A certain record-breaking UFC champ and former pound-for-pound king has a pretty high opinion of himself, eh, Anderson Silva?

“We took him backstage, spoke with Bjorn (Rebney) and shook his hand. Chris was really excited walking out of that meeting about fighting for us. I was told by his managers that the deal was done.”

Former Bellator matchmaker Sam Caplan recalls when the promotion nearly signed a young Chris Weidman, now reigning UFC middleweight champ

“Definitely he’s a tough guy... What makes you tough is the way your mind-set is. I believe anyone can be tough. How good, how effective he is; I never saw a professional fight of his, I just saw the movies.”

Ever thought you’d witness jiu-jitsu great Rickson Gracie kind of sticking up for martial arts movie maker Steven Seagal?

“I thought for sure I was going to die. I said goodbye to my son, I said goodbye to my wife.”

Things got heavy for the UFC’s Joe Riggs when he accidentally shot himself with a handgun recently

CHANNING TATUM - STAR SIGHTING

Who? Actor, general heartthrob

Where? UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Le, Macau, China

Channing Tatum (21 Jump Street, Magic Mike) was in Macau to cheer on Cung Le after the two formed a friendship while filming MMA movie Fighting. He was also in Haywire with Gina Carano and plays UFC 9’s wrestling Olympic gold medalist Mark Schultz in upcoming film Foxcatcher.

INSTAGRA MMA

COWBOYCERRONE

“Me and @badboygarcia rockin out!! @bradpenny going away party. #TBT”

THALESLEITES

“Starting well the day enjoying the nature and thanks God for the life.”

RYANBADER

“Was able to deliver our boy Rocket on this go around. Great/crazy experience. Thank you doc.”

REWIND / FAST FORWARD

Legend reborn: linking two combatants – one past, one present

Men who won title belt gold on the second time of asking

GEORGES ST PIERRE

Failed title fight: vs. Matt Hughes, UFC 50, 2004