Fighters Only

Issue 097

January 2013

Morsels of Fighters Only musings on everything MMA

ON THE RADAR

Three red-hot prospects worth keeping an eye on...

Jose Maria Tome, 31-3 (2 NC)

Flyweight Jose Maria Tome is on a 15-fight undefeated run – and he’s only seen the judges twice in that span thanks to his furious, and somewhat reckless, fighting style. Jussier Da Silva (the former 125lb world number one who recently lost his UFC debut) submitted this 30-year-old Brazilian in 2008, but it was one of 11 ring appearances that year for Tome, and two months earlier he’d scored a slam KO. Expect to see ‘Sem Chance’ inside the sparsely populated UFC flyweight division very soon.

Elvis Mutapcic, 12-2

A few months before entering the TUF Brazil house, eventual middleweight winner Cezar ‘Mutante’ Ferreira was knocked out in 25 seconds by aggressive striker Elvis Mutapcic. If that hasn’t peaked your interest, this Iowa-based but Sarajevo-born 26-year-old has only one decision win out of his 12, has never been stopped, and recently TKO’d TUF 11 competitor Joseph Henle, injuring him with leg kicks to earn the MFC 185lb belt.

Karol Bedorf, 8-2

He’s Polish, a double European BJJ champion and a two-time ADCC competitor, plus he’s a heavyweight – convinced yet? ‘Coco’ dropped a decision to Rogent Lloret in 2011 in his most recent loss, but has two wins since to go with his promising grappling pedigree. The 29-year-old also beat current UFC top-tip Francis Carmont in his 2007 debut.

THREE ROUNDS OF ACTION

FO SCORES MMA'S HOTTEST STORIES

1 HEAVYWEIGHT MOVE FOR JONES IN 2013?

Nike-sponsored UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones recently told fans he’ll “definitely” make the jump to the heavyweight division at the end of 2013.

FO SCORE: The potential for seeing Jones, one of the sport’s most exciting fighters, square off with names like Alistair Overeem would, of course, be thrilling.

But it’d be even better if he went there, initially at least, with the 205lb belt – and he has a whole year of challengers to get through yet. But a champion vs champion superfight would be massive business.

2 ‘MINOTAURO’ AND WERDUM TO COACH TUF BRAZIL 2

Former UFC interim heavyweight champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Fabricio Werdum will be opposing coaches on the second season of TUF Brazil. They’re expected to fight in June in Brazil, naturally.

FO SCORE: Bouts between jiu-jitsu experts can become bad kickboxing matches and if ‘Minotauro’ beats Werdum it ices ‘Vai Cavalo’s argument for a title shot, and shelves ‘Big Nog’s retirement plans. But, the reverse does wonders for Werdum’s value and Nog is adored in Brazil, so should do good ratings.

3 HUGHES LEANING TOWARD RETIREMENT

One of the most dominant UFC champions ever, Matt Hughes recently confirmed to Fighters Only Awards 2011 ‘MMA Journalist of the Year’ Ariel Helwani he has his “hand on the door handle” of retirement.

FO SCORE: Considering the memories Matt Hughes’ decade-plus UFC run has given us, it’s sad to think he won’t be set to make any more. But retirement is inevitable, and with back-to-back knockout losses in the rearview and, frankly, little else to achieve, why not hang up the gloves?

QUOTES

“No one likes John Dodson because he’s kind of annoying. He’s cooler in person he just acts like a 12-year-old, annoying girl sometimes on TV. I don’t know; it’s weird.”

UFC flyweight Ian McCall tries to put his finger on Dodson’s unusual antics

“It’s hard to explain how to fight him, because if you go forward, he’s behind you. You try to hit him, and he’s not there. It’s very, very weird.”

UFC middleweight Patrick Cote unintentionally suggests Anderson Silva is Agent Smith from The Matrix

“I’m doing a lot of people in the sport a favor, and I’m doing Chael a favor by showing him what his true calling is, and that’s using that gift of gab and not athletic talent.”

Handbags at dawn for UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones ahead of his TUF crescendo clash opposite Chael Sonnen in April

“I thought it was going to be hard, but this is harder than I expected. I’m going to tell you this: pro wrestling training is three times harder than MMA. It’s harder because of the psychology, the positioning, the bumps, hitting the ropes and cutting promos. That s**t is hard.”

Current Bellator, and former Strikeforce, light heavyweight ‘King Mo’ Lawal talks taking on the squared circle

“I don’t see a lot of people making it out of this sport without getting smashed down, you know what I mean? They’re going to put them in there, and somebody’s going to do them in, sooner or later, before they make their way out of the sport.”

Says UFC mean-mugger Nick Diaz, who reveals he’ll keep gloving up “until I take an ass whooping”

“I do think some of these guys are getting a little softer to where, hey, if they’re not 100%, they’re just going to call off the fight… there’s several fights where you’re not 100%, you’re just not 100%, and these guys today have to be 100% or they’re not going to compete.”

‘And, in my day,’ continues UFC welterweight legend Matt Hughes, ‘a cup was just for holding water’