Issue 043
November 2008
The summer months were busy enough, but from now until the end of the year there will be plenty going on.
We spoke to four people from the world of MMA to find out what they thought of the months ahead.
The Fighter
Ross Pearson
Rising UK fighter from Sunderland.
The Writer
Jim Page
FO writer and author of new book ‘Cage Talk’.
The Fan
Craig Abbott
28 years old from Blakely, Manchester.
The Insider
Chris Zorba
Promoter of show, Cage Gladiators.
Should Chuck Liddell call it quits after his loss to Rashad?
Ross Pearson
That’s a tough one. I’m definitely a fan of Chuck, it depends if he’s got the determination to stick it out. If he’s still got the hunger then no.
Jim Page
If his fighting spirit has remained intact, I’m sure Chuck could still turn in some good performances.
Craig Abbott
Nah, look at Randy, he’s still going – a couple of defeats shouldn’t put you back.
Chris Zorba
No, I think he’s got one more fight left in him, I think he should have one big last fight, but who should he fight?
Randy vs. Brock – what do you think?
Ross Pearson
You can never call Randy out of a fight, but Brock’s a little bit too big and too strong. Not that I want to say that, cos Randy’s a legend.
Jim Page
The fight is a stroke of marketing genius; it will shatter pay-per-view records and draw thousands of WWE fans to the sport. The purists can keep quiet about this one.
Craig Abbott
Randy by decision. He’s too intelligent, Randy will take it.
Chris Zorba
A lot of people have said about Brock getting a title shot so soon, but from a business point of view it’s going to be a huge show. I think it’s a great fight.
Slick submission or crunching KO?
Ross Pearson
As a fighter, anything, whatever. As a fan, I like to see a KO.
Jim Page
Watching a good submission fighter demonstrating his art is fantastic, but there’s nothing more exciting than a sudden knock out.
Craig Abbott
Submission, all day. It’s good to see a brutal knockout, but a top submission is world class.
Chris Zorba
Knockout. The people want to see knockouts!
There are loads of MMA books out now, which fighter’s life story would you want to read?
Ross Pearson
I’d like to read GSP’s, I think his would be good. No, scrap that, Genki Sudo!
Jim Page
Without doubt, I’d most like to read about Jeremy Horn - born competitor, MMA pioneer and 100-fight veteran.
Craig Abbott
I don’t know, Randy or Chuck, they’ve already got one out. Maybe Royce Gracie, because he started it all.
Chris Zorba
Rampage Jackson. He’s my favourite fighter.
Will the UFC ever manage to sign Fedor?
Ross Pearson
Nah. I don’t think he’ll go for it.
Jim Page
If the UFC management ever loosens its death-grip at the negotiating table, I think they could sign more-or-less anyone they want.
Craig Abbott
Yeah, it’s a possibility, they’ve got the money. It depends on who he’ll fight.
Chris Zorba
I think they will in the end. This Affliction show will never end up challenging the UFC, and he’ll want to prove himself as number one heavyweight.
