Issue 116
November -0001
Fanboys worldwide express their opinions online. In print, MMA’s biggest stars share their views. We asked four different fighters from the MMA universe their opinions on the pressing matters of the moment.
The Fighters
Q1. How can Lyoto Machida defeat Chris Weidman to become only the third ever two-weight UFC champion at UFC 175?
A. Arlovski
“I have no idea. Definitely it’s a big fight for both Lyoto Machida and Chris Weidman. The person who will take this fight more seriously might be champion.”
A. Howard
“As long as Lyoto is able to stop the takedown game of Weidman, then he’s got a chance. If he does that he can outstrike Weidman and become the new champ.”
A. Pettis
“Machida would have to outscore him. Weidman is always dangerous and I don’t see him getting finished during the fight. Machida would have to win a decision against the champ.”
A. Brunson
“Machida can achieve success by producing a lot of movement and out striking Weidman.”
Q2. There’s been a lot of debate over whether fighters should focus on technique or power in sparring. Do you still regularly take hard shots in sparring?
A. Arlovski
“Why do you ask me this? Of course I take heavy punches when I spar. For me it simulates the fight, and if you train hard it makes the fight easy. I wear all the proper equipment and, of course, go hard.”
A. Howard
“Head shots are something that I’m not too crazy about. I don’t spar very much at all, and if I do it’s only with people with good control and who are at a high level.”
A. Pettis
“Sometimes you take bad shots in sparring; it depends on who you train with. Sometimes you get bad sparring partners who can’t control themselves, but here at Roufusport we’ve got some great sparring partners.”
A. Brunson
“No, I don’t take head shots in the gym . I train to not get hit. That’s the way to do it.”
Q3. We’re halfway through 2014 and we’ve already witnessed some pretty incredible action. What’s been your highlight reel moment of the year so far?
A. Arlovski
“I liked Jon Jones and Gustafsson’s fight last year but I didn’t see Jones’ fight against Teixeira; people said it was good. I saw Fabricio Werdum beat Travis Browne but I felt bad because Travis is my teammate and a friend.”
A. Howard
“It’s been a personal thing, and it’s been going back down to fight at welterweight. I feel so much stronger at 170lb than I did at 185lb.”
A. Pettis
“There’s so much happened this year MMA wise that it’s hard to come up with just one, but on a personal note, it was great to see Brazil and Puerto Rico this year. I went to Brazil with the UFC and Puerto Rico for a holiday.”
A. Brunson
“There’s been a lot of good fights from the up-and-comers while the stars haven’t been as healthy as they normally are, so we’ve been missing some action.”
Q4. With its massive talent pool, sambo heritage and the different incarnations of TUF happening around the world, how cool would a season filled with fighters from the Russian region of Dagestan be?
A. Arlovski
“You’d have to ask Dana White if he thinks it’s going to be a good idea. Why not? I can tell you one thing, in Dagestan, and Russia in general, people really like fighting and MMA. So it might be a good idea.”
A. Howard
“You’re asking me whether I would even want to watch a completely Russian season of TUF, of course! I would love to see that.”
A. Pettis
“It would be crazy. Like those people, I came from a ghetto too so I know they’re the type who have the most heart. It would be crazy and definitely something people would be interested in seeing.”
A. Brunson
“There are talented fighters from Russia, so of course a season of TUF from that region could be good.”
Q5. After his one-sided beatdown of Travis Browne, does Fabricio Werdum have a legitimate chance to defeat Cain Velasquez and become UFC heavyweight champion?
A. Arlovski
“I don’t know. It’s going to be an interesting fight for me. Definitely from when I fought Werdum and beat him (UFC 70, 2007) to today he’s got much, much better so you never know.”
A. Howard
“Werdum has a good chance, but Cain Velasquez’s striking combines so well with his wrestling, and that’s really what Werdum has to stop to be successful. That’s going to be tough to deal with.”
A. Pettis
“Fabricio looked really good in his last fight and if he continues improving like this, he’s got a shot at the title. Me and Cain are Mexican so I’ve got to go with him, but I think Werdum is outstanding.”
A. Brunson
“Werdum definitely has a chance to best Cain, with his constantly improving striking and his ever dangerous ground game.”
