Issue 067
November 2010
MMA’s a highly subjective sport – and we’re proud of that. We speak with four characters from across the fighting world to find out their thoughts on the current state of play and the pressing matters of the time.
The Fighter
Pat Barry, kickboxing-based UFC heavyweight 5-2-0
The Fan
Chris Bastyr, 24 years old, Grafton, WI
The Writer
Conner Cordova, regular US-based contributor to Fighters Only magazine
The Insider
‘SkySkrape’, TapouT co-founder
Q1 Rashad Evans will challenge Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua for the UFC light heavyweight title in 2011. Who do you predict to be the victor?
A: Barry
“It’s going to be a great fight because Rashad is capable of ending a fight instantly. But, I’m going with ‘Shogun’ because he’s more well rounded and more dangerous everywhere.”
A: Bastyr
“Rua may be susceptible to the takedown, especially early, but I see him eventually stopping Evans with his dynamic stand-up.”
A: Cordova
“I think Rashad Evans will pull off the victory. He will use good circular motion, be light on his feet and use feints to set up the takedown and grind out a win for the championship.”
A: SkySkrape
“I’ve got to go with Rashad on that fight. I’m not much into making predictions because I just hope that every fight is a great one, but I’ve got to go with Rashad by decision.”
Q2 At UFC 117 Chael Sonnen took Anderson Silva down and ground him out for 23 minutes. Would a rematch go the same way?
A: Barry
“I’d love to say yes but in the fight game anything can happen.”
A: Bastyr
“I think Sonnen will get him down again but Silva will make it more competitive with healed ribs and another chance.”
A: Cordova
“Very unlikely since both fighters will be cinching up the holes in their games. If Anderson would just concentrate on his lateral motion, get on his bicycle and sharp shoot from a distance, he will pick Sonnen apart.”
A: SkySkrape
“I think a rematch would go the same way between Anderson and Chael with the exception of the submission!”
Q3 Will you be buying the EA Sports MMA video game?
A: Barry
“I didn’t know they had one.”
A: Bastyr
“Yes.”
A: Cordova
“I’m torn. The roster is only OK, but the career mode seems really cool. Training at different gyms is an awesome idea and fighting with Pride rules in Japan is the best! I’m most likely going to buy it.”
A: SkySkrape
“It’s more than likely I won’t be buying the EA game. One, I’m not much of a gamer anymore, and two, I’m not in it!”
Q4 After the Strikeforce: Nashville brawl do you want to see perennial enemies ‘Mayhem’ Miller and Nick Diaz fight?
A: Barry
“Absolutely.”
A: Bastyr
“Of course. Underneath the beef is a nice style match-up too.”
A: Cordova
“I think Miller and Diaz would be a good fight, but I want to see Diaz vs Noons way more. Both guys talk a lot of smack about each other, and they can back it up.”
A: SkySkrape
“Diaz vs Miller would be a great fight! Not just because of the situation that occurred after the Shields fight [in Nashville] but because the two guys are both tough-ass fighters. Imagine if that fight went to the ground and we got to see both their jiu-jitsu skills.”
Q5 Which bout will you vote as ‘Fight of the Year’ for this year’s Fighters Only World MMA Awards (worldmmaawards.com)?
A: Barry
“Anthony Pettis vs Shane Roller from WEC 50 or Pat Barry vs Mirko ‘Cro Cop’!”
A: Bastyr
“Jorge Santiago vs Kazuo Misaki at Sengoku 14.”
A: Cordova
“The fight I did vote as ‘Fight of the Year’ was Chris Leben vs Yoshihiro Akiyama. I was in the building that night and on my feet the entire fight (as well as everyone else). When Leben pulled it off: wow!”
A: SkySkrape
“I’ve got to give ‘Fight of the Year’ so far to my boy Leonard Garcia against Chan Sung Jung ‘The Korean Zombie’. Mostly because they said ‘f**k it’ and swung from the hip. It made for an exciting-ass fight.”
