Issue 046
February 2009
2008 featured some pretty monumental events, but 2009 looks set to take things to another level. Four people with a close eye on the sport weigh in with their opinion on the hot topics of the hour. We asked four different figures from the MMA world their opinions on the pressing matters of the hour.
The Fighter
Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley, welterweight fighter
The Fan
Phil Robinson, a student from Liverpool
The Writer
John O’Regan, Fighters Only webmaster
The Insider
Matt Teale, presenter of Setanta’s Ultimate Talk
Q1. Zuffa own both the UFC and WEC, should the UFC start featuring high profile fights at 135 and 145lb?
A: Daley
Yeah I think so, I watched the last WEC with all the lighter weight guys and it was just as entertaining as the main UFC.
A: Robinson
Why not? I keep reading about guys like Miguel Torres and Urijah Faber, I want to see them fight! Get them in the UFC!
A: O’Regan
I think so, there are some amazing fights and fighters in those weight classes. Guys like Miguel Torres deserve the big-stage exposure that the UFC brings. I will watch bantam and featherweights over heavyweights any day.
A: Teale
Not at this point. There are enough marquee fights to be held within the existing weight categories that the UFC currently operates with.
Q2. With ProElite gone belly-up, will the many female fighters find a home elsewhere?
A: Daley
Interesting question, I would like to see them get the same exposure as they did with ProElite, Gina and Cyborg are sick to watch. I don’t know how much depth the female division has, to be honest.
A: Robinson
I’m not a huge fan of women fighting but I think it’s a shame they’ve got nowhere to go now that EliteXC is gone. I doubt Dana White would want them, looks like they’ll just have to stick to smaller shows.
A: O’Regan
I suppose it depends on their perceived economic viability. Gina Carano is a draw, so she may be picked up for superfights with the likes of Rosi Sexton and the remaining handful of top-flight females.
A: Teale
There’s obviously a market for it and Dana’s recently changed his views on women’s MMA, so who knows what’ll happen?
Q3. Stand and trade or stick and move?
A: Daley
Stand and trade! 100%!
A: Robinson
There’s a time and a place for both. Getting stuck in is great, but it’s good to live to fight another day.
A: O’Regan
It is martial arts, not a brawl. The game is about hitting your guy without getting hurt, so stick and move. But you should still be looking to finish the fight where possible, not getting in there to play the points game.
A: Teale
Stand and trade. Who doesn’t like a good slugfest?
Q4. With expansion into Ireland and Germany on the cards for 2009, what country should the UFC target next?
A: Daley
The obvious one would be Holland, but having been to shows there, the MMA wasn’t received as well as kickboxing. I’d like to see it go to Scandinavia, they’ve got some great talent and they understand the sport.
A: Robinson
France would be nice, they’ve got some great fighters, but apparently there’s still some legal trouble with MMA over there. Maybe if they sign Fedor they’ll go to Russia?
A: O’Regan
A show at Amsterdam Arena would be a big draw. There are lots of fight fans in the Netherlands – look at its K-1 pedigree – and it is easy to get to.
A: Teale
Finland because of the growing Scandinavian scene, Spain because it’d be nice to go to one in Europe somewhere warm!
Q5. What are you looking forward to most in 2009?
A: Daley
I’d like to find a new home someplace. As far as fights, I’m looking forward to GSP vs BJ Penn. Personally I’ve never been to a live UFC event, and Dan [Hardy, Daley’s teammate] is fighting February 21st, which is my birthday, so that’d be awesome.
A: Robinson
Loads of awesome fights! I want to see GSP go up in weight and challenge Anderson Silva.
A: O’Regan
UFC 100 should be massive, Anderson Silva claims he will retire this year so that poses some interesting questions for the middleweight division, plus we will see whether Affliction survives. It’s going to be a big year.
A: Teale
Finding out whether Anderson Silva can hold on to that belt. Nobody’s come close to him for a while now.
