Issue 071
November -0001
Three of MMA’s brightest stars weigh in on the burning issues of the day
The Fighters
1 Who wins the upcoming championship bout between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort?
JON JONES
“I’m a huge fan of Anderson Silva, but I think Vitor Belfort has what it takes to knock out Anderson with his punching power. That said, Anderson is always a dangerous opponent.”
STEPHAN BONNAR
“That’s like a coin flip. Do I really have to pick someone? Vitor’s got dynamite in his hands, but Anderson has been so dominant for so long.”
RYAN BADER
“That’s a tough one. I’ll take Anderson Silva just because of his past performances, but Vitor definitely has the power to knock him out.”
2 Some observers suggest Japanese MMA is dying. How much do you follow the Japanese MMA scene?
JON JONES
“Not at all – though I am a fan of ‘Sexyama’.”
STEPHAN BONNAR
“I watch all the fights. I have HDNet, so I watch Dream, and I love the K-1 fights in Japan. That’s not MMA, but it’s still in Japan. I watch everything. I’m an MMA junkie.”
RYAN BADER
“I used to watch Pride all the time back in the day. Now, not so much, but I don’t think it will ever die off with that culture. I think it will keep going strong.”
3 Rich Franklin has a big fight with Forrest Griffin coming up soon. Does Franklin still have what it takes to be a champion?
JON JONES
“I think Rich Franklin is a very respectable opponent. He’s very smart in relation to his nutrition, his diet and getting himself ready to fight and back to full health. I think he’s going to do well for many years to come.”
STEPHAN BONNAR
“The only person that’s really beat his ass is Anderson [Silva] the pound-for-pound king. Everyone else he’s either beat or lost to in a close fight. Rich is awesome.”
RYAN BADER
“I think he still has it. He’s fought nothing but tough dudes since he was the champion. I definitely think he’s still there, still relevant and can still go for the title.”
4 Clay Guida is perhaps the king of high-energy ring entrances. What do you do to pump yourself up for a fight?
JON JONES
“I try not to get myself hyped up at all. I try to relax and just really focus on my body and being able to react. I think amping yourself up too much can cloud your mind. I think staying relaxed is the key.”
STEPHAN BONNAR
“It’s more like what do I do to calm down. I’m already too hyped up. I’m always telling myself to relax and breathe deep and clear my head and try not to let thought enter. It’s more about taming the energy because I’m too excited as it is.”
RYAN BADER
“I just visualize how the fight will go a million times before it happens. The day of the fight, I run it through my head a million times. That’s it. I don’t have to fight angry. I don’t have to fight pumped up. I just go in there and relax.”
5 If you had to make one MMA-related prediction for 2011, what would that be?
JON JONES
“I think in 2011 I’ll be a few steps closer to a title shot.”
STEPHAN BONNAR
“My prediction for 2011 is that the UFC will break its own pay-per-view sales record. And that Dana White will grow a mullet.”
RYAN BADER
“I feel like my career and the UFC are both growing every day. I just feel like it’s all going to keep getting better and even bigger for both of us.”
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