Issue 111
November -0001
We asked four different figures from the MMA universe their opinions on the pressing matters of the moment
The Fighters
1 After his rubber match victory over Junior Dos Santos, is there anybody left to seriously challenge Cain Velasquez’s title reign?
Matt Brown
“Yeah. Every time someone is champion everyone else thinks they are indestructible and nine times out of 10 they end up getting challenged.”
Cole Miller
“Yeah, ATT heavyweight Steve Mocco.”
Tyron Woodley
“No. With Daniel Cormier dropping down, I don’t see anyone to challenge him right now.”
Isaac Vallie-Flagg
“In a couple of fights I want to see Travis Browne in with him. We joke around a lot but I respect the hell out of the dude. I’d also like to see Jon Jones move up and take Cain on.”
2 In this edition Nick Diaz says he can never retire from MMA, but have you thought of an exit strategy yet?
Matt Brown
“Yeah. I’m working on starting a fitness equipment company as a segue for that.”
Cole Miller
“It’s not going to be dramatic. I’m not going to tell anybody about it. I’ll slowly stop taking fights and just say to the guys at the gym someday that I’m not going to fight anymore. I’m not going to tell the media: I’m not important enough.”
Tyron Woodley
“I’ll know it’s time to go when my body tells me. I won’t resort to outside things to help me compete. And if Nick Diaz decides to come out of retirement, we’ve got some unfinished Strikeforce business.”
Isaac Vallie-Flagg
“No. I know it’s going to happen eventually but I always want to be involved in it. I’m an older guy and the thought of retirement is tough just because I love the sport so much.”
3 We preview Dominick Cruz vs. Renan Barao in this issue. So how do you see their UFC bantamweight title fight going?
Matt Brown
“I have to go with Barao. Cruz has been out too long. It’s hard to know where he’s at right now.”
Cole Miller
“If I was a betting man, right now, I’d pick Barao. It only makes sense to pick him with how active he has been. If Cruz was fighting this whole time and we are just talking style vs. style I would have picked Cruz.”
Tyron Woodley
“Barao is a stud. He’s been killing it. I’m a friend of Dominick, but he’s been out for so long. I still see him as a champion. I love those crazy kicks Barao does. I just hope Dominick doesn’t eat one of those and retains his belt.”
Isaac Vallie-Flagg
“Dominick wins, because of his movement and the way Renan stands. I think he’s open for the knee tap, which Dominick is really good at. Cruz puts him on his ass. I really respect Dominick’s strikes too.”
4 It’s almost time to start the voting for the Sixth Fighters Only World MMA Awards, so who has been your ‘Fighter of the Year’?
Matt Brown
“Alexander Gustafsson. He’s had a hell of a year.”
Cole Miller
“Jon Jones, I guess. You can’t go wrong with picking Jon Jones. I like Weidman but he only had that one huge win. So I will go with Jones.”
Tyron Woodley
“I don’t know about ‘Fighter of the Year’ but I damn well know that Gilbert Melendez and Diego Sanchez had the ‘Fight of the Year’! That was the best fight I’ve ever seen. Those guys were getting after it.”
Isaac Vallie-Flagg
“Cub Swanson. The dude is really making a name for himself. He’s won some serious fights this year. It’s to the point where Ricardo Lamas doesn’t want to fight him again. The title shot is the only thing left for him.”
5 Finally, we present a brand new Performance training section this month. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received from a coach?
Matt Brown
“It’s hard to break it down into one little piece. But probably, ‘When you feel like you can’t do any more that’s when you do 10 more.’”
Cole Miller
“Howard Davis told me to, ‘Train defense, train a lot of defense’ – and, ‘Don’t get hit.’ That’s what is going to give you a long career.’ Look at Floyd Mayweather, his whole game revolves around defense and not getting hit.”
Tyron Woodley
“The best piece of advice I ever received is, ‘Exercise your free will.’”
Isaac Vallie-Flagg
“Work hard. It’s hard to narrow it down to one technical thing. Mike Winkeljohn always says, ‘If you work your ass off then good things will come to you.’”
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