Issue 048
April 2009
The great thing about MMA is that it is so subjective. Everyone’s got an opinion and we love a bit of debate, so we spoke with four people from across the MMA world to find out their thoughts on the current state of play
We asked four different figures from the MMA world their opinions on the pressing matters of the hour.
THE FIGHTER
Alex Enlund
Pro featherweight fighter
THE FAN
Suzanne McGuigan
Teacher from Newcastle
THE WRITER
Jatinder Dhoot
Regular FO contributor
THE INSIDER
Ron Kruck
Presenter on HDNet’s Inside MMA
1 GSP – cheater or champ?
Alex Enlund
Georges is an inspiration to anyone who wants to be successful. The Vaseline incident should not take anything away from his performance and training, he schooled BJ.
Suzanne McGuigan
Champ! Some people should move past their whining. Florian and Alves have waited patiently. Let’s move the divisions on.
Jatinder Dhoot
Champ. BJ Penn is the man but, Vaseline or not, GSP was going to win that fight.
Ron Kruck
I wouldn’t call him a cheater to his face! If some Vaseline got on his shoulders or back I don’t think it was intentional. It certainly didn’t affect the outcome of that fight, GSP landed close to 70% of his strikes. I think you would see the same outcome.
2 Is Anderson Silva running out of challengers for his 185lb title?
Alex Enlund
I’d like to see him fight Damian Maia. It would be interesting should the fight go to the floor although I would expect an early KO from Silva.
Suzanne McGuigan
The challengers are there, it’s not Silva’s fault he makes it look so easy. Anyone can get caught though, hopefully by Mr Bisping!
Jatinder Dhoot
Yes. If Silva only wants to fight a few more bouts before hanging it up I’d like to see him go as far as he can at 205lb.
Ron Kruck
He has absolutely crushed everyone that has entered the Octagon but his last two fights were embarrassing mismatches. I believe Nate Marquardt would make for an interesting rematch, but I think at this point Silva has accomplished everything he can.
3 Strikeforce have acquired many of the Pro Elite contracted fighters. Which of them would you most like to see in action?
Alex Enlund
Jake Shields is very impressive and I would love to see him in the UFC, adding to an already stacked division. I’ll be most excited about watching Nick Diaz though, he’s so entertaining.
Suzanne McGuigan
My girls Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg will be big draws for whichever organisation has them. Women’s MMA is a growth sport. The UFC / WEC may have missed a trick there.
Jatinder Dhoot
Robbie Lawler is a great fighter and always exciting to watch. No matter who he fights or what the outcome of the battle is, it’s always going to be an entertaining match.
Ron Kruck
EliteXC’s 170lb champ, Jake Shields, has won 11 straight and I can’t wait to see him against some of the elite fighters, but a Carano vs Cyborg would be the biggest women’s MMA fight of all time. I also can’t wait to see what’s next for the train wreck that is Kimbo.
4 MMA, a young man’s game or still room for the veterans?
Alex Enlund
I think once a fighter hits 35 he is ready for the scrapyard. There is always room for veterans. Mark Coleman looked like a joke but Randy and Dan Henderson have been around a while. Veterans need to evolve with the sport and not live in the past.
Suzanne McGuigan
There is nothing more depressing and heart breaking than watching someone who once ‘had it’ losing it. A warrior may never say die, but they should say ‘retire’. Ken and Mark, I’m looking at you.
Jatinder Dhoot
There’s room for veterans who are willing to adapt. Constant improvement is necessary if you want to hang with the best. Experience counts for a lot and gives many veterans an intangible advantage.
Ron Kruck
The old men can still get it done. Next you’re going to say that ring announcers are getting too old.
5 Which up-and-coming fighters would you like to see in the UFC?
Alex Enlund
There are loads of up-and-coming fighters across the UK! I would love to see Jim Wallhead in the UFC. Pete Irving can’t be far off a UK undercard. Eddie Ng is one of the most gifted fighters I have met, and at 22 has plenty of time to become a star.
Suzanne McGuigan
As I hail from Newcastle I would have to say local heroes such as Pete Irving, Jack and Sam Sexton.
Jatinder Dhoot
It’d be great to see Chris Horodecki fight in the UFC. He brings a lot of excitement, skill, athleticism and still has a lot of room to grow. I know Dana White was interested in bringing Cung Le into the UFC fold, even while he was fighting for EliteXC.
Ron Kruck
Colt Tombs, son of ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper. He has solid boxing and some heavy hands, but training with Team Quest will make him into a well-rounded MMA fighter. No, he does not wear a kilt.
