Issue 049
May 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
Greg Loughran, 18-11-0 lightweight from Northern Ireland
The Fan
William Stone, 37, Hertfordshire
The Writer
Andrew Garvey, regular FO features writer
The Insider
Chris Lam, UFC ringside doctor
Q1. Rampage vs Rashad. Who takes it?
A: Loughran
I think it will be Rashad, he’s explosive and proved he can KO just about anybody.
A: Stone
It would have to be Rashad, he looks stand-offish but there’s something about him, he comes up with the goods. I think he’ll surprise people.
A: Garvey
Rashad. Rampage looked flat and plodding against Jardine and that’s the worst thing possible against somebody as fast as Rashad. I think Evans is going to stop him sometime around the third round.
A: Lam
Difficult, that one. I reckon it’ll be very, very close, but my money is on Jackson. He’s got more tools at his disposal. It’ll be close.
Q2. Do you think Fedor will ever make it to the UFC?
A: Loughran
It depends on the money more than anything else, I’d say. If somebody becomes unbeatable in the UFC he will, as he’ll have to prove himself.
A: Stone
The offer’s there and he hasn’t taken it up. You can’t take anything away from the guy, as a fighter you’ve got to fight and I don’t think anyone will consider him as the best if he isn’t open to fighting anyone at any time.
A: Garvey
Yes, eventually. But not while ‘rival’ promoters, with more money than sense, are still around and willing to pay him and his management team ludicrous money that’s way above his market value.
A: Lam
I hope so. There are a lot of politics involved. I think he will one day, if Dana puts the money up. It depends on how much he wants to be in the UFC.
Q3. Trash Talk – yay or nay?
A: Loughran
It definitely brings interest, I don’t go for it myself, I just like competing in the sport.
A: Stone
It creates interest and sells tickets, but it doesn’t mean anything to me, it’s fighting not talking. It takes away from the reality of it.
A: Garvey
Yay, a definite yay. It helps hype the fight, sells tickets, pulls in viewers and makes money for promotions and fighters. Besides, when done well (Frank Shamrock is the absolute master) it’s just fantastic entertainment. Why would anyone say ‘nay’?
A: Lam
Definitely! It amps up the fight, makes you interested and gets viewers.
Q4. First jiu-jitsu, then ground ‘n pound, then sprawl ‘n brawl. What comes next?
A: Loughran
Everybody will be a lot more advanced in all areas. It’ll be a lot harder to get submissions. Another thing is that people are trying to play up to the crowd and go for the KO.
A: Stone
When it was all going off with the wrestlers and the Gracies, everyone said grapplers could always beat strikers, but I would say striking is going to make a comeback. A hard, tough striking fight always sells tickets.
A: Garvey
I’ve got absolutely no idea, and the way the sport keeps constantly evolving and changing is one of the things that makes MMA so exciting.
A: Lam
I reckon the jiu-jitsu will come back into it, but it constantly evolves all the time, you’ve got to be on top of your game. It could just be conditioning – people are going to be great in all disciplines, and it will be conditioning that wins the fight.
Q5. You’re UFC matchmaker for a day – what fight would you like to see take place?
A: Loughran
I’d love to see Wanderlei against somebody, you know when he fights there’s gonna be a KO. I’d like to see him and Chuck again, but with Wanderlei winning!
A: Stone
If I didn’t have to worry about weight classes, I would like to see Forrest Griffin fight Tank Abbott in his prime. I don’t think Forrest would shy away!
A: Garvey
Brock Lesnar defending his title against Shane Carwin. Just epic, manly, giant-fisted heavyweight wrestling and sporting violence.
A: Lam
I’d like to see Matt Hughes against Sakuraba! That’d be good. I wonder what crazy moves Saku would do to him. That’d be strange.
