Issue 105
September 2013
We asked four different figures from the MMA universe their opinions on the pressing matters of the moment
The Fighters
1 Junior Dos Santos and Cain Velasquez fight for a third time later this year. Does their trilogy have the potential to become the best in MMA history?
Glover Teixeira
“It’s hard to say. We had Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, and that was pretty big. I think this trilogy is very big, but I don’t know if I can say the best.”
Kenny Florian
“It could be the best in UFC heavyweight history. The first was a surprise knockout from Dos Santos. The second was a war, but a dominant performance by Velasquez. Now we have a third fight where anything can happen.”
Alex Davis
“These are the two best heavyweights walking the planet today. This third fight will define which one of them is the very best, at least at this moment. One can only hope that the actual fight can reflect this.”
Demian Maia
“That’s tough to say. There have been some great trilogies. But Junior is a good friend of mine, so I hope it turns out that way.”
2 Brazilian MMA history is full of stories of grudge matches, beach fights and gym challenges. What’s your favorite story from the past?
Glover Teixeira
“Rickson Gracie fighting Hugo Duarte on the beach. I have some other great stories about Marco Ruas. I think those are my favorites, but I have to ask him if I can actually tell them. Those aren’t in a book just yet.”
Kenny Florian
“The one memory that stands out above all others for me is when Rickson Gracie fought Hugo Duarte on the beach.”
Alex Davis
“The rivalry between Brazilian Top Team and Chute Boxe. That rivalry would flare up whenever and wherever they met; fights would start at hotels, airports, anywhere. Today they are all friends!”
Demian Maia
“I’ll always remember when Rickson Gracie fought Hugo Duarte on the beach. But there are so many great stories that happened back when I was a kid and just starting in this sport.”
3 Do you feel Brazil has overtaken the US in terms of MMA popularity and potential size?
Glover Teixeira
“It depends on the state. In California or Nevada, MMA is huge. But in New York or Connecticut, where I’m from, nobody really knows about it. I think it’s everywhere in Brazil, but biggest in Rio de Janeiro.”
Kenny Florian
“I do, actually. Just be in an arena in Brazil for the prelims, and you’ll see the difference.”
Alex Davis
“Absolutely. In the US, there are many sports that catch the public’s eye. In Brazil, soccer is the number-one sport, but underneath that, you only had volleyball a distant second. MMA has filled that space now.”
Demian Maia
“It’s different in Brazil. It’s still probably bigger in the US in terms of people that watch just because it’s a bigger country, but it’s more mainstream in Brazil. Besides soccer, MMA is the biggest sport in the country.”
4 Which young Brazilian is destined to become a future MMA legend?
Glover Teixeira
“It’s always hard to answer something like that: you never know what’s going to happen. You never know if these guys are going to get injured or something. But I like ‘Patolino.’ He’s very talented and powerful.”
Kenny Florian
“Maybe it’s not a real answer, but I think José Aldo has the potential to be the greatest fighter in history. Just based on what he’s done and what’s coming up for him, he may be the greatest in the sport in a few years.”
Alex Davis
“You never know: the creation of a legend is the sum of many legendary moments. Both John Lineker and Edson Barboza show promise; and another to watch out for is Argentinian Santiago Ponzinibbio. He’s so intense.”
Demian Maia
“There is one guy now who trains with us. He doesn’t fight in the UFC yet, but his name is Elias Silverio. He’s a Jungle Fight champion at 170lb, and he’s pretty good.”
5 Frank Mir vs. Josh Barnett. Who wins and why?
Glover Teixeira
“I believe Josh Barnett will take that fight. Frank Mir did look pretty good in his last contest, even though he lost. He didn’t gas. But I think Josh has more tools.”
Kenny Florian
“That’s a tough one, but I guess I’ll go with Barnett. I think the difference might be the wrestling, and I think he might be able to control where the fight goes.”
Alex Davis
“I like Frank Mir for this fight. It could go either way, but Frank just has that capacity to slap on a lightning-quick submission. If he’s on a good day, I see that happening.”
Demian Maia
“I hope Frank wins; I like Frank. We trained a little bit when I was in Las Vegas back in 2008. He has great jiu-jitsu, so I’m a fan.”
