Issue 095
November -0001
We asked four of World Series of Fighting’s new signings their opinions on the pressing matters of the moment
The Fighters
Q1. After emerging from 10 close rounds with Frankie Edgar, do you expect Benson Henderson to find his reign as 155lb champ any easier against Nate Diaz?
Miguel Torres
“It’s a different dynamic in the fight. Frankie is a boxer-wrestler, and he’s a shorter fighter. Diaz’s boxing and catching the punches changes things also. He’s just a longer fighter. He’s going to stay in his face the whole time.”
Josh Burkman
“He’s going to have a little bit tougher time because Diaz is so fluid and hard to figure out. However, Benson is a big, strong guy at that weight, and that will help him in the end. But Nate is no easy out.”
James McSweeney
“It’s never an easy fight when you face a Diaz. Their training is complete. Still, Henderson is an absolute star, and he’ll find a way to grind out the victory. I’m not sure how he’ll get it, but he’ll get it.”
Gerald Harris
“I just did a blog on styles vs styles. As well rounded as a lot of fighters are, this will be a true style vs style fight. Diaz is a totally different fighter than Edgar. I’m tuning in, I’ll tell you that much.”
Q2. Is it all about punching power when Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson meet in The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale?
Miguel Torres
“With the heavyweights, it’s one of those things about who lands first. But Shane has a powerful punch, and so does Roy. It’s going to be a battle of the hair, and for me, Roy definitely wins that.”
Josh Burkman
“Carwin is strong and explosive, and he will be the one who lands first. That doesn’t mean the dude is going anywhere; Roy can take some shots. But, with Carwin, that athletic ability and strength will end up pulling him through.”
James McSweeney
“I believe Shane has a chin that can take Roy’s shots, but I don’t believe Roy has a chin that can take Shane’s... When you have a sledgehammer hitting you in the face, it’s eventually going to break.”
Gerald Harris
“Shane is going to be a slugger, and Roy wants to take you down and pound you out. He does have a big right hand, but common sense tells you if Roy takes it down, it’s a wrap. Shane is going to try knock his head off though.”
Q3. Should Alexander Gustafsson get the next shot at the UFC light heavyweight title if he defeats Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua?
Miguel Torres
“I don’t know if anyone is ready for a title shot right now at 205lb. James McSweeney is a beast in that division. But what are you going to do? Alexander has no choice. He’s going to have to be a beast, too.”
Josh Burkman
“I don’t know that he’s ready, but he’s close. Either way, he deserves it.”
James McSweeney
“I don’t know if he should be in a title shot yet, just because you beat ‘Shogun’ doesn’t make you a contender. He should get a little more high-level experience. If he looks good in this fight, give him a real test, like Rashad Evans.”
Gerald Harris
“He’s got a few big wins, but it’s not even about who he’s beat, it’s about whether the guy is marketable or not. You have to earn a title shot, and it’s not by kicking ass. It’s about making sure people will tune in to watch.”
Q4. We celebrate the career of Tito Ortiz in this issue. Do you have a favorite Tito career moment?
Miguel Torres
“I’ve been a Tito fan since the beginning. Watching him pick up his opponents and slamming them down and then doing the ‘grave digger,’ those were some of the best things I had ever seen in my life.”
Josh Burkman
“After he fought Ken Shamrock, Tito and I went to Costa Rica, and we hooked a chicken on a big hook and a rope, and we had crocodiles trying to bite the chicken. We thought we were crocodile hunters.”
James McSweeney
“I’ve always been a Tito fan. He’s a love-to-hate character. For me it’s not even his fights I remember the most; it’s his persona. He was the original person to come out and be a showman, and he did pave the way for a lot of people.”
Gerald Harris
“My favorite parts were always his post-fight speeches. He was always hurt. It was like, ‘Before this fight, I got shot it in the face.’ He always had some messed up injury but he was going to fight no matter what.”
Q5. The 2012 Fighters Only World MMA Awards ceremony takes place in Las Vegas in December. What has been the highlight moment of the year so far?
Miguel Torres
“It has to be ‘Shogun’ Rua and Dan Henderson. I was on the edge of my seat screaming the whole time. I know Shogun, and I’m a fan of Henderson. I didn’t know who to go for, and then the fight was insane.”
Josh Burkman
“It’s been a hell of a year. I think the best moment for me was the inaugural press conference of the World Series of MMA and the beginning of my return to the world stage. That’s the best moment for me, hands down.”
James McSweeney
“The best fight I’ve seen was ‘Shogun’ and Dan Henderson. That was like a Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar kind of fight. It just goes to show the everyday fans what is out there and what is possible.”
Gerald Harris
“I’m still mad at [FO] because I didn’t get nominated for my slam knockout of David Branch. Still, the awards will be fun. I was just trying to extend my 15 minutes of fame and make it 16. I’d love to be a part of it though.”
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