Issue 085
November -0001
We asked four different figures from the MMA world their opinions on the pressing matters of the moment
The Fighters
1 Frankie Edgar versus Ben Henderson for the UFC lightweight title in Japan promises to be one of the 2012’s most exciting bouts. Who takes it and why?
Marc Fiore
I’m a huge Frankie Edgar fan; he and his cornermen make such good adjustments in between rounds, where every time he can be a different fighter if he needs to be. I’m jealous. I’m a Frankie fan, and I’m going to go with Frankie.
Malki Kawa
If Ben Henderson says 15 minutes of sustained explosion; it’s going to be 25 minutes of sustained explosion. I see Ben finishing that fight probably by submission between the second and fourth rounds.
Sam Stout
That’s so tough to call. Both guys are so hard to finish. Ben’s been looking pretty unstoppable lately, but Frankie, you can’t ever count that guy out. It’s a five-round decision that could go either way.
Robert Roveta
I’m going to take Ben Henderson. He’s got too much strength and raw power.
2 Joe Warren will defend his Bellator featherweight title against Pat Curran in his first bout since a brutal knockout loss in September. Can he bounce back?
Marc Fiore
Joe Warren is a champion and not just in MMA. I like Pat Curran, too. He’s got a lot to offer in the game. But the one thing Joe Warren hates is losing. He’s been exposed a little, but he’s going to overwhelm the young Pat Curran.
Malki Kawa
Guys that get knocked out, people immediately write them off. Anybody can get knocked out. I’ve seen Warren get dropped but he’s always recovered. If he comes in as hungry as always, Joe Warren will bounce back.
Sam Stout
He’s still got a lot to offer. Everyone has tough losses from time to time. It doesn’t necessarily mean their career is over. You get knocked out, you look at the tape and find out why you got knocked out and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Robert Roveta
Warren is tough. He’s an Olympic-level wrestler. Anybody with that kind of wrestling is tough. I say he’s tough enough to bounce back.
3 If Joe Lauzon beats Anthony Pettis in Japan, does he have a claim to being the number-one contender at 155lb despite only a three-fight win streak?
Marc Fiore
Joe’s a great fighter but he needs a couple more big wins to make him a number-one contender. He and his camp might even agree. Joe is a well-rounded fighter, and with a couple more big wins, you can put him up there.
Malki Kawa
Absolutely, he could. Who else in the 155lb division is on a tear like him? If he beats Pettis in addition to a guy in Guillard that was probably next in line? If Joe beats Pettis, he might deserve the next shot.
Sam Stout
I don’t know about number-one, but he’s definitely moving in the right direction if he beats Pettis. He’s up there. That would put him in the top five, in my opinion.
Robert Roveta
I am not sure about number-one contender status, but he can certainly say he’s “in the mix,” as Dana White says.
4 If the UFC sends certain fighters to a rebooted Strikeforce, who do you think should make the jump?
Marc Fiore
I couldn’t be more happy as a trainer and a manger to see Strikeforce is sticking around. Even if it’s considered the minor leagues to the UFC, that’s OK. If you’re in Strikeforce, that’s a big show, and that’s a big-show opportunity.
Malki Kawa
A lot of people come to the UFC, and they think they’re UFC-ready. That transition from one promotion to another is pretty hard. Guys from the regional level who don’t have any UFC experience should probably go to Strikeforce first.
Sam Stout
The best thing about keeping Strikeforce is keeping the women’s division going. It’s still at a point where it needs to be built a lot. I don’t know if it’s really ready for the UFC stage, so Strikeforce is a great venue for it.
Robert Roveta
I’m a big fan of Strikeforce. They have the ‘explosive’ league, almost like the WEC used to be. You tune into watch explosive MMA. I was a big fan of the WEC’s matchmaking, show and production, and I’m a Strikeforce fan.
5 Which under-appreciated fighters do you think will make a big splash in 2012?
Marc Fiore
Dustin Jacoby, Jake Hecht, Cortez Coleman, Brian Foster, Jon Madsen... Who else is on my roster? Those are the ones that I’m going for.
Malki Kawa
I don’t think there’s anybody more under-appreciated than Carlos Condit. He’s been one of the top welterweights for a long time. Once he beats Nick Diaz and has the belt, people will start to appreciate what Carlos Condit is capable of.
Sam Stout
Matt Wiman. He’s a really underrated guy. You watch his fight with Dennis Siver, and I thought he took the fight. I know what he’s capable of and how tough he is and how resilient he is, so he’d probably be one of my picks.
Robert Roveta
I hate to say this because he’s probably going to fight one of my guys, but the breakout guy right now who’s way under the radar is Chris Weidman. I see big things for that kid.
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