Issue 106
October 2013
Morsels of Fighters Only musings on everything MMA
3 Rounds: FO scores MMA's hottest stories
1 BRIAN STANN RETIRES FROM MMA
UFC fan favorite Brian Stann has retired from mixed martial arts at 32 years old. The former WEC champion at 205lb, Stann cited a desire to spend more time with his family and concerns about blows to the head as to why he’s hanging up the gloves.
The former Marine told The MMA Hour: “If you look at my life, I’ve been getting hit in the head since I was in second grade playing football. I’m now 32 years old. That’s a long time, and there’s only so long that I can roll those dice and be successful. For me, the risk is not worth it.”
Part of Stann’s time will now be taken up by TV work with the UFC, and commentating on ACC college football.
Stann, whose last fight was a losing effort to Wanderlei Silva in Japan earlier this year, added: “I’m taking away much more from this sport than I ever gave.”
FO SCORE: Brian Stann has been an outstanding ambassador for the UFC and MMA for several years, both outside and inside the cage. While it’s unfortunate Stann will no longer be able to continue the latter, it’s exciting he can maintain the former.
2 SILVA-WEIDMAN REMATCH CONFIRMED FOR DECEMBER
As expected, new UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman will rematch former belt owner Anderson Silva in his first title defense. The bout is booked to headline UFC 168 on December 28th in Las Vegas, alongside Ronda Rousey’s grudge match against Miesha Tate. Silva’s disinterest in a rematch immediately after the loss lead to brief speculation any return was off the table.
FO SCORE: How can every fight fan not want to see the rematch of one of the most jaw-dropping results of the year? It should be massive business for the UFC and peak the North American mainstream media’s interest, especially combined with the Rousey-Tate bout.
3 DAN HENDERSON ‘DIDN’T NOTICE A HUGE DIFFERENCE’ OFF TRT
UFC light heavyweight Dan Henderson recently stated he believes coming off testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for his UFC 161 bout with Rashad Evans didn’t significantly affect his performance.
The double Pride FC champion told MMA Junkie he decide against using testosterone when it seemed he wouldn’t be granted a therapeutic use exemption.
He said: “I never noticed a huge difference. I just know my doctor says it’s healthier for me. I know I was getting sick less often when taking TRT, and I seemed to have more energy.”
FO SCORE: Of all the fighters confirmed to use TRT, Dan Henderson has perhaps received the least fan backlash, yet appears to have been the first to voluntarily forgo using it. It will be interesting to see if others follow suit.
ON THE RADAR
Three red-hot prospects worth keeping an eye on...
Sean Strickland, 12-0
Athletic and exciting King of the Cage middleweight champion Sean Strickland enjoys fighting to a decision but still has a UFC-friendly 75% finish rate. An all-rounder, 21-year-old ‘Tarzan’ is charismatic with the confidence and skill in the cage to find success in the Octagon. Missing weight before his first attempt at KOTC 185lb gold might not appeal to UFC top brass, but seven first-round stoppages should make up for it. He’s expressed an interest in waiting to jump up in levels, though it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t take the offer should it be presented – and that may be soon.
Andrew Yates, 7-0
Seven fights in, Wanderlei Silva-trained bantamweight Andrew Yates is undefeated as a pro, finishing the majority of those bouts (one TKO, four submissions). Video on Yates is scarce but what is available, and the word on the ground, suggests a fighter who has the potential to develop world-level tools. A sketchy but deep amateur record (12-13 with one no contest) before his pro run could either mean he’s turned a corner or it’s a precursor of things to come.
Kalindra Faria, 11-3-1
More fluid on her feet than most, Brazil’s Kalindra Faria is capable on the ground and has a taste for the finish – although some of her scalps don’t have flattering records. She’s also got somewhat of a mean streak, recently keeping an armbar on rival Carina Damm for several seconds after her opponent had tapped. Being a flyweight she’s more likely to end up in top female promotion Invicta, unless she’s willing to add another 10lb to enter the UFC’s women’s division where she’d likely be a solid test for anyone.
QUOTES
“I think he went out there and was taunting him and doing the sorts of things Anderson does once in awhile. There’s a possibility he may have taken it too far this time.”
Anderson Silva’s manager, Ed Soares, presents the understatement of the year
“There was no lack of respect. I respect everybody. All the provocation, hands down... It should continue, it’s part of the show.”
Anderson Silva wants to dance with danger again
“(Anderson) abused his gift, he disrespected the gift, by disrespecting his opponent.”
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones bids farewell to a large mound of Silva-Jones superfight cash
“Georges St Pierre could do this catchweight fight and he could still be the champ at 170lb. But what’s crazy to me is, GSP opted to take a very dangerous fight at 170lb without trying to take a dangerous fight at 185lb.”
UFC president Dana White, prior to Anderson Silva’s KO loss, on welterweight champ St Pierre’s choice not to take a big money superfight with Silva earlier this year
“There were just hundreds of people that stayed up and were outside, waiting. They were just waiting on their grass at two in the morning with signs everywhere and fireworks.”
New UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman recounts returning home to Long Island after knocking out Anderson Silva
STAR SIGHTING: USHER
Who? Singer
Where? UFC 162, Las Vegas, Nevada
You probably saw him as one of the waving/shadowboxing heads on the UFC 162 broadcast. He was there to support former middleweight title-holder Anderson Silva against Chris Weidman. In the past, Usher has been spotted training at the Black House Gym in LA, one of the home gyms of Silva.
REWIND-FAST FORWARD
Legend reborn: linking two combatants – one past, one present
Big Hawaii boys who love a good scrap
CABBAGE CORREIRA
Made his name by:
Not being knocked out by fellow tall chap Tim Sylvia
TKO’d by ‘Bigfoot’ Silva in: 3:49
TRAVIS BROWNE
TKO’d by ‘Bigfoot’ Silva in: 3:27
Made his name by: Knocking out fellow tall chap Stefan Struve
