Issue 118
August 2014
Morsels of Fighters Only musings on everything MMA
Three rounds. FO scores MMA's hottest stories
1 JONES AND GUSTAFSSON BOOOKED FOR BLOCKBUSTER TITLE REMATCH
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will again put his title on the line against Alexander Gustafsson in Toronto, this time in later September for the main event of UFC 178.
Jones pipped the 16-2 Swede to a decision in their first championship bout in September last year, and there’s been an appetite for a rematch ever since.
Prior to the match being made, UFC president Dana White had said Jones was angling for a fight with number-two contender Daniel Cormier instead, holding up the Gustafsson bout.
However, Jones said in a press release: “There was never an issue with a contract. I was traveling and finally got to Vegas and got to talk with Dana and Lorenzo. We talked and September 27th, I’ll be fighting Gustafsson.
“I think Cormier is the tougher fighter, but the fans want to see me fight Gustafsson. There was never an issue with taking the Gustafsson fight. The issue was that my brother is getting married in July and I would have preferred a later date.”
FO SCORE: While the first fight between these two didn’t generate much interest before the bell, the rematch is likely to do massive business. And if Jones comes through again, then Cormier awaits in 2015. Career defining stuff.
2 ALVAREZ-CHANDLER TRILOGY STILL A POSSIBILITY?
Rivals Eddie Alvarez and Mike Chandler may still finish their trilogy, despite Chandler losing to Will Brooks by decision for the Bellator interim 155lb title at Bellator 120. Alvarez had been set to defend the full title against Chandler.
“Ed’s contract specifies that his next fight would be against Michael Chandler,” said CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Ed is now in the position where he can choose to fight Chandler, and contractually, we have to give him the Chandler fight after he beat Chandler the first time.”
FO SCORE: It’s near impossible not to feel bad for Will Brooks. Even though the ATT lightweight won the interim strap, depending on Alvarez’s concussion and a potential fight between Alvarez and Chandler, Brooks could spend a lot of time on the sidelines waiting for his title shot.
3 ‘SHOGUN’ RUA ROBBED BY ARMED MEN IN BRAZIL
Former UFC light heavyweight champion ‘Shogun’ Rua was carjacked by four men with rifles in Brazil, according to his manager, Eduardo Alonso.
Alonso revealed he, Rua and Demian Maia had been dining at a restaurant and after Rua dropped them both at a hotel his car was stopped by a man flanked by four accomplices holding rifles.
One of them even recognized Rua and warned him not to do anything. The jackers took Rua’s car, his shoes and his shirt, leaving him to walk a mile to the nearest police station. Luckily, Rua escaped without any injury.
FO SCORE: This goes to show that even if you’re one of the world’s greatest mixed martial artists, if a gun is pointed at you, it’s much smarter to give the perps whatever they’re asking for instead of fighting back.
ON THE RADAR
Three red-hot prospects worth keeping an eye on...
Sheymon Moraes, 6-0
Brazilian Muay Thai wrecking ball Sheymon Moraes has caused quite a stir on his domestic regional circuit, crushing his foes with some of the most devastating striking we’ve seen since José Aldo. The 135lber’s ground game is still a bit of mystery as he’s been able to stop any attempted takedowns using solid footwork. But, so far, it all looks pretty hopeful.
Mansour Barnaoui, 11-2
The French lightweight has impressed many on the European scene with his performances, which include winning the BAMMA world championship against Curt Warburton and defending it against Colin Fletcher – both UFC veterans. He’s also made the move to Montreal’s Tristar Gym, to train with the likes of John Makdessi and Rory MacDonald, which will certainly help with his development.
Julio Arce, 5-0
Those who research Julio Arce will probably think he’s just another striker due to his background. He’s a former New York Golden Gloves winner, has spent some time competing in kickboxing competitions and he’s a Tiger Schulmann‘s Karate fighter too, the same gym that helped build Uriah Hall. However, in Arce’s amateur and professional career he’s also earned himself four submission choke victories, showing that the New York-born bantamweight isn’t a one-trick pony.
Star sighting: Johnny Manziel
Who? Newly signed Cleveland Browns quarterback
Where? UFC 173, Las Vegas, Nevada
Johnny Manziel took some time out of his busy Memorial Day weekend, probably filled with buxom beauties and pool parties, to head to the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Luckily for ‘Johnny Football’, he witnessed one of the most impressive fights of the year as TJ Dillashaw shocked the MMA world by defeating Renan Barao and becoming UFC bantamweight champion.
QUOTES
“I feel like a lot of people, because he’s Alistair Overeem, have catered to him. I feel like the Blackzilians probably catered to him so he got used to it and he felt like he was going to be able to throw his weight around a little bit. At Jackson’s, that’s not going to fly. You’re either part of the team or you’re not. If you’re not part of the team, get the hell out of here. We don’t need you here. We didn’t ask you to come here. You asked to come here, you see something here that you need. So you’re either part of the team, or leave.”
‘Hapa’ Travis Browne laying down the law before ‘The Reem’ joins Jackson-Winkeljohn’s fight factory
“There’s no secret to success but hard work, and Ronda Rousey is one of the hardest-working people in the sport, in my opinion. That’s really what’s stuck in my head from being around her. But she’s very skilled and very strong and she throws everyone. She absolutely could beat a lot of the guys in that division.”
Perennial welterweight contender Jake Ellenberger is more than confident Rousey can hang with her 135lb male counterparts
“Being in the UFC means I can punch b**ches in the face and not go to jail.”
We might not be able to say recent UFC signee Alexis Dufresne’s surname correctly, but we sure like her thought process
“I could have let my hands go a little more but I just felt slippery... I’ve had this problem with Bellator since my first fight. All my fights I’ve slipped. I don’t know what it is, maybe the canvas. I don’t know but I don’t feel comfortable.”
‘King Mo’ wasn’t a fan of the canvas, among many other things, at Bellator 120
“I want the Matt Brown fight. That’s what I’m looking for. I’m trying to fight the baddest motherf**kers out there. I’m not trying to fight some lame ass fighter that they’re trying to build off of me.”
A fight between Nate Diaz and Matt Brown would be a shoe-in for ‘Fight of the Year’ before they even stepped inside the Octagon
FAST FORWARD
Legend reborn: linking two combatants – one past, one present
Former Hero’s grand prix winners who have/had even more famous other halves
YOSHIRO AKIYAMA
Won: 2006 Hero’s light heavyweight grand prix
Famous wife: Shiho Yano, model
KID YAMAMOTO
Famous ex-wife: Malia, model
Won: 2005 Hero’s middleweight grand prix
