Issue 107
November -0001
Fanboys worldwide express their opinions online. In print, MMA’s biggest stars share their views. We asked four different figures from the MMA universe their opinions on the pressing matters of the moment.
The Fighters
Q1. November marks 20 years since UFC 1. Can you recall how you felt the first time you saw that card?
A. Browne
“I remember thinking, ‘I want to do that stuff.’ After watching Royce Gracie, I remember telling my stepdad, ‘I want to do some kind of martial art so that I can beat up a whole bunch of people at once.’”
A. Davis
“Of course. I was in the US training for a judo competition, and I remember thinking it was so violent!”
A. Lineker
“I’m only 23 years old, but I saw those fights on tape. It was different, but it was very cool stuff.”
A. Soares
“I grew up in the same neighborhood as Royce Gracie, so to sit there and see the same guy that you would see on the beach at the weekends taking on all these huge guys and beating them was a pretty surreal feeling.”
Q2. What has changed most about the UFC over the past two decades?
A. Browne
“I feel like the UFC has true athletes now. Athletes are looking at MMA as a real sport. You don’t have just big, tough dudes that come in and get down. You have to be a true athlete to come in and compete.”
A. Davis
“Everything, really. It has turned into a real sport, and there aren’t such mismatches. Everyone fighting these days is a true professional.”
A. Lineker
“The biggest difference now is the quality of the athletes. Everyone is much more skilled and technical.”
A. Soares
“It went from being just a spectacle to being a true sport. That’s the biggest single change.”
Q3. Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos go at it for a third time in October. How do you see this third fight going?
A. Browne
“I’m not going to lie – I’m on the fence. Either guy can win if they pull off their game plan. We’ve seen it. It’s going to be amazing to watch that fight and see how it goes. It’s going to be a great fight.”
A. Davis
“It could play out in several different way, but I see Cain Velasquez retaining this time.”
A. Lineker
“This is a very tough fight to predict. I just really hope ‘Cigano’ wins this time.”
A. Soares
“The later it goes in the fight, the better chance Cain Velasquez has of winning. It’s going to be a great fight.”
Q4. Also, Anderson Silva gets the opportunity to right his legacy with the Chris Weidman rematch in December. But does the new champ have the Brazilian’s number?
A. Browne
“It’s going to be a different fight. Anderson’s emotions are stirred, and coming off a loss like that really motivates you. He’ll get back to his roots. Not to discount Weidman, he has the title and deserves it. It’ll be great.”
A. Davis
“I don’t believe Chris has Anderson’s number. But he will have even more confidence now that he knows he can beat Anderson.”
A. Lineker
“I don’t think Weidman will beat him again. Anderson just messed up in the first fight. He won’t make the same mistake this time.”
A. Soares
“In my honest opinion, I think everyone should buy the pay-per-view to find out.”
Q5. Finally, speaking of rematches, are there any fights from your past that you would like to see again?
A. Browne
“My ultimate goal is to get the title. I have one loss in my career, and I wouldn’t mind having that rematch. But if it’s not ultimately on my path to the title, I don’t need it anymore. My ego has been healed.”
A. Davis
“Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira II. That was an incredible fight in Pride. I’d love to see that matchup again.”
A. Lineker
“I hope to rematch Louis Gaudinot one day. It’s the only loss I’ve had in the past 17 fights. I want that one back.”
A. Soares
“That’s the best thing about this sport. I want to see the rematch everyone wants to see: Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman II. And it’s happening December 28th. I can’t wait.”
...
