Issue 072
February 2011
MMA’s a highly subjective sport – and we’re proud of that. We asked four different figures from the MMA world for their opinions on the current state of play and the pressing matters of the moment.
The fighter
Mike ‘Joker’ Guymon, UFC, IFL, King of the Cage veteran, 12-4-1
The fan
Bentley Thurlow, 23, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The writer
David Bateman, feature writer for Fighters Only magazine
The insider
Robert McMullin, Team Tompkins’ strength and conditioning coach
Q1 Which fighter, male or female, are you tipping for big things in 2011?
A: Guymon
“I’m looking for Cain Velasquez in 2011 to show how complete of a heavyweight fighter he is and put on more dominating performances like he did against.Brock Lesnar.”
A: Thurlow
“I think Gray Maynard will be doing big things in 2011 in a weight class that just grew in size with a merger. His wrestling is at the top right now and he’s going to hold the UFC lightweight title next.”
A: Bateman
“I think Jon Jones will be light heavyweight champion in the next year – as long as the UFC give him the opportunity. I can’t see anyone posing him a problem except a fit ‘Shogun’ Rua.”
A: McMullin
“I think we are going to see a lot of Team Tompkins fighter Kasheem ‘The Dream’ Peterson. This kid has is all: athleticism, skill, drive and hunger. Put those together with his work ethic, training with Shawn Tompkins and he’s bound to explode.”
Q2 If there was an Ultimate Fighter in 2011 for the UFC’s imported featherweight and bantamweight classes, who should be the coaches?
A: Guymon
“I’d say Jose Aldo and Urijah Faber.”
A: Thurlow
“This is an easy one; Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber, what with Faber’s move down to 135lb and him being the only person to beat Cruz in his pro career.”
A: Bateman
“Cruz vs Faber. Faber’s immense popularity, combined with him being the only man to beat Cruz, would make it a great Ultimate Fighter season.”
A: McMullin
“Mark Hominick would make an awesome coach for TUF. Put him up against Aldo. Jose is on fire right now and a lot of people think there aren’t many good fights for him at 145lb, but Hominick might be the most explosive 145lb’er in the UFC.”
Q3 The Bellator and Dream organizations often use a tournament format. Should there be more tournaments in MMA, and which other promotion should hold one?
A: Guymon
“Yeah I would like to see more tournaments within MMA. Maybe have the UFC do one.”
A: Thurlow
“That’s a big yes on more tournaments. The UFC should be one of those organizations.”
A: Bateman
“I don’t think tournaments are suited to MMA, considering how easy it is for a fighter to suffer a long-term injury. But, I would like to see a heavyweight tournament in Strikeforce with Fedor, Overeem, Werdum and Barnett, forcing those guys to actually fight one another.”
A: McMullin
“I really think only newer organizations should use that format; just so they can determine who their champion is. I wouldn’t want to see the UFC go back to the tournament style, unless, of course, there was a vacated belt. Then it might be OK.”
Q4 Japanese MMA loves a home-grown champion. Can Yushin Okami’s win the UFC middleweight belt, and what could it do for the sport in Japan if he became champion?
A: Guymon
“Okami is definitely a contender for the middleweight belt. If he does win it, it would be a huge draw for the Asian market in the sport, as you could see with Cain Velasquez’s recent heavyweight title win within the Mexican community.”
A: Thurlow
“I would rate Yushin Okami’s chances as vey high. I think he’s really well rounded and one of the biggest in the 185lb weight class. We’ll just have to see who he’ll face; I think Vitor Belfort has a great shot a taking the title from Anderson Silva.”
A: Bateman
“I’m sure it would help bring more Japanese fans to the UFC, but I don’t give Okami much hope. He only barely won his last two fights, and he’s fighting one of the greatest ever. Then again, I thought Anderson Silva would finish Chael Sonnen inside two rounds.”
A: McMullin
“Honestly, I don’t think Okami has a chance at all. MMA is already big in Japan, but I would like to see the UFC and Strikeforce do some shows in Japan to introduce more of the non-Japanese fighters to those fans.”
Q5 If you could create one new category for next year’s Fighters Only World MMA Awards what would it be?
A: Guymon
“’Best Ambassador of the Sport’. It would be for promoting the sport and giving back to communities.”
A: Thurlow
“This is a tough one. Maybe I would go for ‘Worst Judges’ Decision of the Year’.”
A: Bateman
“’Most Exciting Fighter of the Year’; rewarding those who entertain the fans.”
A: McMullin
“’Strength Coach of the Year’!”
