Issue 110
January 2014
We asked four different figures from the MMA universe their opinions on the pressing matters of the moment
The Fighters
1 Urijah Faber has been dominating the UFC bantamweight division in 2013, does ‘The California Kid’ have what it takes to earn another title shot in the UFC?
Phil Davis
“Someone asked Urijah why he’s always getting title shots and he said, ‘Because I’m always right up there for the title shot.’ And it’s true.
He’s a winner. And you can’t say anything against a winner.”
Chael Sonnen
“He could fight for the title in multiple weight classes. He’s even talked about going back up to 155lb and he’d do fine. He has a movement and speed advantage in all of his fights. So yes, he can fight for a title again before he’s done.”
Roy Nelson
“He can have all the title shots he wants – just because he’s Urijah Faber. Actually, I think Dominick Cruz should just give the belt to Faber because he’s been out of action for two years now.”
Tito Ortiz
“Of course he can still do it, he’s a veteran. He’s been around for a while but he’s got some great fights left in him. He keeps winning and he’s always in the title shot picture.”
2 Brian Stann and Kenny Florian have both recently transitioned from the Octagon to microphone seamlessly. Do you think the broadcasting booth is a natural move for retired fighters?
Phil Davis
“No. I think it’s natural for guys like Kenny and Brian. They are knowledgeable about the sport and things outside it because they are intelligent. Not everybody is. Not everybody can hold a conversation like they can.”
Chael Sonnen
“Broadcasting isn’t for everyone. Some fighters don’t enjoy the process, or are a little bit shy. It’s a lot of fun, I can tell you. Kenny (Florian) and I get more credit than we deserve – we have a great team behind the show.”
Roy Nelson
“It’s for the select few who Fox or the UFC like; it’s not just about talent. There are some who could do it really well, like Frank Mir and me, while others sound like they’re reading off a teleprompter.”
Tito Ortiz
“I think so. They’re the best placed to do it, the most knowledgeable. Chael Sonnen does a good job; they all do a really good job, the guys who are doing it. I think it’s the natural career step for some of them.”
3 Jon Jones has already become a pound-for-pound great in the world of MMA, but we saw a bit of a chink in his armor against Alexander Gustafsson. What’s the best way to beat the champ?
Phil Davis
“Just do what you’re good at. He’s extremely tough but you don’t have to do anything crazy. In this game you have to be extremely good at something or you’re just going to get beat by the top guys. So fight your own fight.”
Chael Sonnen
“I think Alexander won that fight but then again I don’t disagree with the result either. To be a champion you have to be one of two things: really good or really tough. Jones is both. He can dig deep when he needs to.”
Roy Nelson
“It’s not that Gustafsson showed some specific template on how to beat Jones; it’s just that he came close using his own skills. That’s not to say somebody else can’t beat Jones using their own skills.”
Tito Ortiz
“The way Gustafsson did it is the way to do it – be in and out, catch his kicks. I had him winning the fight three rounds to two. I don’t know how one judge had it four rounds to one against him.”
4 With the UFC continuing to expand and hold events all over the world, which country would you personally like to fight in the most?
Phil Davis
“I want to fight in Africa. I don’t care where in Africa, I just want to fight there. I don’t know why, it’s just something I’ve really wanted to do. I heard the UFC is going to South Africa in 2014, so I want in on that.”
Chael Sonnen
“I’d like to fight in Oregon, my home state, if I could pick anywhere. Internationally? I don’t know. We’re going to Ireland and we’ve got 13 shows in Brazil next year. But it doesn’t make any difference to me. I fight in the Octagon.”
Roy Nelson
“I don’t like fighting anywhere except Las Vegas. It’s the fight capital of the world, so why go elsewhere? I’ve fought all around the world, some terrible places. St Petersburg in Russia for Bodog was the worst.”
Tito Ortiz
“No comment.”
5 With so many great fights having occurred already this year, and with the Fighters Only Awards on the horizon, what’s been your ‘Fight of the Year’ so far?
Phil Davis
“Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jon Jones – with the names in that order.”
Chael Sonnen
“Brian Stann vs. Wanderlei Silva and Carlos Condit vs. Johny Hendricks were front-runners earlier this year, but both take a back seat to Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson. It was the greatest fight ever.”
Roy Nelson
“The Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson fight. My favorite fight of my own this year was probably against Cheick Kongo.”
Tito Ortiz
“It has to be Jon Jones vs. Gustafsson, without a doubt. It was just an awesome fight.”
