Issue 081
November -0001
We asked four different figures from the MMA world their opinions on the pressing matters of the moment
The Fighters
Q1. With Nick Diaz being dangerous on the feet and on the ground, where will Georges St Pierre want to take the fight this October at UFC 137?
Charles Oliveira
Georges St Pierre will have a good gameplan. He will keep it standing but also go for takedowns at the end of rounds to earn points with the judges.
Jan Finney
I see Georges St Pierre keeping it standing, but I believe Nick Diaz will have the reach. Nick is very underrated as a striker.
Chris Lytle
He’s going to try and take him down and hold him down. He’s going to try and grind out a five-round victory.
Mike Constantino
Knowing him and the way they play their gameplans, I’m going to say he’s probably going to keep it standing and use the Josh Koscheck gameplan – use his jab and stay away from Nick.
Q2. Does Carlos Condit have the ability to cut it with the UFC’s top, established welterweights such as BJ Penn and Georges St Pierre?
Charles Oliveira
Oh, yes. Carlos Condit is very good. He is ready to fight both BJ and Georges.
Jan Finney
Carlos is really doing good right now, and he can handle his own against anyone.
Chris Lytle
Obviously, he does. He’s shown it. The thing I like about Carlos is there are fights where I think, ‘Oh, this is going to be tough for him,’ and he dominates. In my opinion, he’s kind of an over-achieving person, and that goes a long way.
Mike Constantino
We’ll find out when he starts fighting those guys. There’s so many people that look good on paper. But Carlos is a talent. He’s terrific. I would say yes. He’s looked pretty terrific lately.
Q3. Do you think the UFC’s first-ever five-round non-title fight at UFC 138 will help or hinder the Chris Leben vs Mark Munoz headliner?
Charles Oliveira
This really helps. A lot of fighters just want to earn a slight advantage and then go to a decision. With five rounds, this should make for less fighters just hoping for a decision.
Jan Finney
It might hinder the fight. Both of these guys are very explosive, but when you fight a five-round fight, you really have to pick your shots and pace yourself.
Chris Lytle
I don’t know. I’m sure both guys are going to come in in great shape, so conditioning is going to be a big factor there. The only people that will benefit will be the fans. That could be a good fight, and you might like to see more than three rounds.
Mike Constantino
They both benefit. If you’re in the main event, you’re in the mix for a title shot, and this is a good training system to get guys ready for five-round fights. If you’re not fighting five rounds, those extra two rounds can be a big difference.
Q4. Who is your favorite member of the ‘Skrap Pack,’ and why?
Charles Oliveira
No disrespect to them, but I don’t have a favorite member of the Skrap Pack.
Jan Finney
My favorite is Nick Diaz because he plays the bad guy so well.
Chris Lytle
I like Gilbert Melendez. I like Nick and Nate quite a bit, too, but I like watching Melendez fight. If he’s on a card, I’m going to be watching.
Mike Constantino
We went out there and trained with them all, so I got a chance to roll with them all. They’re all tremendous. Personally, one of my favorite fighters ever is Nick Diaz. Nick is my man.
Q5. The next Fighters Only World MMA Awards take place at the end of November. Who would you vote as ‘Knockout of the Year’ so far?
Charles Oliveira
Definitely Cheick Kongo’s knockout of Pat Barry.
Jan Finney
John Makdessi’s spinning backfist demolishing Kyle Watson at UFC 129.
Chris Lytle
However much it pains me to say it – I’m a huge Randy Couture fan and supporter – Lyoto Machida’s knockout over him was amazing. That was really cool, and it wasn’t cool. It was heartbreakingly cool, I guess.
Mike Constantino
Did you say ‘Trainer of the Year?’ Mike Constantino [laughs]... Oh, ‘Knockout of the Year.’ How about Anderson Silva vs Vitor Belfort? To come in and do that kick, I’d have to go with that.
