Issue 071

January 2011

Catch the latest news and hot interviews over at our website, updated daily by our worldwide team of reporters

News: DUFFEE DEFENDS LESNAR

Todd Duffee says the “mind boggling and sickening” criticism that has been leveled at former UFC champion Brock Lesnar since his defeat at UFC 121 in October has confused him. He cited threads on the very popular Sherdog forum as an example. Duffee, who was with the UFC until receiving his marching orders in September (reportedly for having a bad attitude), says he is also dumbfounded by suggestions Lesnar should walk away from the UFC. “I do not understand why people think if he loses his next fight he will walk away. I am not a fan nor do I hate the guy; I think he has been very beneficial for the sport of MMA and has earned his place,” he wrote on The Underground forum.

News: MARCUS DAVIS DROPPING TO LIGHTWEIGHT

Marcus Davis is moving down to lightweight after suffering three defeats in his last four outings in the UFC welterweight division. The 37-year-old expects to stay at 155lb until he retires. Davis says himself that he won’t be fighting when he is 40, giving him a maximum of 36 months if he sticks to his word. He said: “I’m going to finish out my career at 155 and try to entertain some people along the way before my old ass retires.”

INTERVIEW: RANDY COUTURE ON ACTING DREAM, LEAVING THE SPORT

FO: You recently said that you were seeing your future more in Hollywood

and less in fighting. Can you talk about that a little bit for us?

RC: “I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I am definitely going to make some more movies, there is no question about that. We start shooting the sequel for The Expendables in March, this next spring, so I’m excited about that. I don’t know what is going to happen on the fight front. I’ve had my wars, done my thing. I’ve been having fun, I can still fight, but I am not sure I want to make another run at the title or anything like that. I enjoy the sport, I enjoy fighting, but it’s probably time to move on.”

INTERVIEW: CARLO PRATER, A FIGHTER’S FIGHTER

FO: Despite being 25-9-1 and having beaten Carlos Condit and Spencer Fisher in your career, would you say you’re largely unknown?

CP: “I think so. I’ve done far more in Brazil and due to the language difference that doesn’t always carry over so well to the US. I was born in Brazil and lived there until I was seven years old, at which time I moved to Oklahoma. I did a little wrestling there, because everyone there does, and started to get an interest in combat sports. I returned to Brazil to finish high school, and started Brazilian jiu-jitsu.”