Issue 073
November -0001
This month it’s fight-prediction frenzy with some of MMA’s hottest young talent
The Fighters
Q1. Who wins the upcoming UFC light heavyweight title fight between champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and challenger Rashad Evans?
MIKE EASTON
“To tell you the truth: Rashad. But they aren’t on my team, so good luck to both of them. I just want to see a good fight.”
JOE WARREN
“I’m a Rashad fan. We wrestled in the same league in college, and he’s been wrestling with me at the same gym in Denver. I say Rashad Evans by knockout. You’ll see a superior wrestler get a knockout again.”
PHIL DAVIS
“That’s a great matchup – past champ vs current champ. It’s a toss-up. It’s tough to say, but I really like the matchup. It’s going to be a really, really great fight.”
Q2. Should George Sotiropoulos’ fight gear be banned from future bouts?
MIKE EASTON
“I think he should be allowed to use them. I have certain injuries that I would love to be able to support with braces so I can put on a great performance for the crowd. We’re all beat up. If something that little can help me put on a show, why not?”
JOE WARREN
“I fight in Japan, and they can wear anything. I would say let him wear what he wants if it’s not helping him to win the fight. I’ve got baby feet. I’d love to wear shoes, but I get caught in ankle locks, so I can’t wear them. Otherwise, I would.”
PHIL DAVIS
“If someone could beat George Sotiropoulos up – if they just wanted take him down and beat him up – his gear wouldn’t stop that. The problem is that he’s performing. He’s looking great doing it, and sometimes if there is a guy looking great doing something different, people speculate.”
Q3. How do you think Strikeforce champ Nick Diaz and Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller match up stylistically?
MIKE EASTON
“I love both of those guys. They’re both great on the ground. They’re both reasonably good standing up. I really don’t know. I know ‘Mayhem’, he’s my boy and I’d love for him to win, but I’ve heard great things about Nick too. It’s just a great fight.”
JOE WARREN
“I think the fight will come together. I’m friends with ‘Mayhem’, but my coach is a Diaz fan, so I’m neutral on the subject.”
PHIL DAVIS
“Two wild guys. I don’t see it going all 15 minutes. That’s all I see in that. That fight’s not going out of the first round. They would not pace themselves against each other. That’s a five-minute sprint. You only need to prepare for one round.”
Q4. Are you still interested in seeing Tito Ortiz fight in the Octagon?
MIKE EASTON
“I think he’s got at least three more fights left in him, maybe even four... Right now, I think he has some ups and downs in his personal life, and everyone knows, as a fighter, things that go on in your personal life can affect you in the cage. Hopefully, he gets all that stuff taken care of.”
JOE WARREN
“Tito was one of the first guys, so it’s exciting to see him in there every time – if you put him against guys like Randy Couture or guys that are a similar age. I don’t want to see him go against a young, explosive guy like me and get hurt, but I think I’d always love to have Tito around. He’s a great guy.”
PHIL DAVIS
“Regardless of what anybody thinks, I think Tito has carried this sport for a number of years. Just having him around the UFC is still valuable. I appreciate it, and he still needs to be around. If it’s what he wants to do then I think he should be around.”
Q5. Nate Marquardt has been calling out Wanderlei Silva recently. Is that a wise move?
MIKE EASTON
“Nate Marquardt’s the man. He’s a beast on the ground and in the stand-up. Everyone knows Wanderlei Silva is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Both of them have good stand-up. Wanderlei probably has the better stand-up. He’s still dangerous... but he does have to be smart about it.”
JOE WARREN
“Oh, yeah. We train together in Denver, and I want him to get his chance. Anderson Silva saw what happened when a good wrestler gets hold of you when he fought Chael Sonnen. Hopefully, Nate does get that call against Wanderlei and get that win.”
PHIL DAVIS
“Wanderlei’s one of my personal favorite fighters. Everybody’s calling out Wanderlei right now. Why? Maybe Wanderlei is just rubbing people the wrong way. Whether it’s Wanderlei and Chael Sonnen or Wanderlei and Marquardt, either way it’s a good fight.”
