Issue 026

June 2007

What would happen if the stars of UFC met those of Pride? 

When the news broke that the people behind the UFC had purchased Pride, we couldn’t just sit back and mull it over. Action had to be taken. 

Fighters Only assembled an elite squad of pundits to discuss not only the ramifications of the sale of Pride, but also the possibility of one-time dream matches becoming a reality. 

We descended upon a Manchester bar and laid waste to those around us with our combination of good looks, bellowing laughter and nerd-like knowledge of all things MMA. 

The Players 

‘Obstinate’ Jim Burman

A veteran mixed martial arts writer, Jim has provided some of Fighters Only’s best interviews. Taller than your average MMA pundit, he is a resident of grim Northern town Hull and it shows in his drier than dry sense of humour and “dark aura”. If the devil was advertising for an advocate, Jim would be the man for the job. 

Andrew ‘Otaku’ Garvey

No discussion about Japanese MMA would be complete without the presence of our favourite museum worker, Mr Andrew Garvey (although we tend to just call him Garvey). He’s big, he’s bad, he’s hairy and he likes a drink or two. In fact, give him a few years and he could be the next Tank Abbott. 

Hywel ‘El Presidente’ Teague

Like Hannibal in the A-Team or Mr Fantastic in the Fantastic Four, Hywel is the linchpin in the FO team, but with inferior time management skills. The mastermind behind this get-together, his attempts at getting his so-called “minions” to call him by various titles (including ‘El Presidente’, ‘Boss’ and ‘Chief’) failed miserably throughout. 

Discussion strayed throughout the afternoon, as we strayed away from the topics of dream matches and ended up discussing why we thought scary giver of fish to children Captain Birdseye was a paedo. 

Some hilarious role-play between Jim (playing the UFC) and Andy (playing a smaller rival promotion) tickled those watching, especially when Jim told Andy to fuck off. It was like being sat next to Dana White, for real. 

Jim (slightly worse the wear as he had been out the night before, and around four of the five nights preceding that one… His excuse? It was his birthday ‘week’) winced when Andy ordered his beer, and matched our currently teetotal editor cranberry juice for cranberry juice. Interesting point: when Garvey drinks, his face gets redder and he starts talking loudly. It was like being sat next to a tramp on the bus, but far more entertaining and much less scary. 

And so, onto the fights. The dream matches up for discussion were decided upon before we met, but not revealed to the team until they had sat down. Three possible fights in the most competitive weight classes (as well as one fantasy match between a young up-and-comer and a grizzly old warhorse) were up for discussion, and we’re glad to say no fights broke out and arguments were kept more or less civil (if highly sarcastic). 

Read on for our thoughts on the possible matches between UFC and Pride stars, and remember, all opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own! 

The Dream Fights

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Randy Couture

Andrew Garvey: I should never, ever pick against Couture, because I’m always wrong when I do, but how can you ever pick against Fedor? I wasn’t that impressed with him against Mark Hunt. I think he looked very human in there but as soon as he really felt threatened he just seemed to switch on and that was it, he finished the fight. The longer it takes to put this fight together, the worse it is for Randy. Every few months that pass I think this just gets tougher and tougher. 

Fedor’s so good, he hasn’t got the kind of obvious weaknesses like Tim Sylvia. Randy might be the best-conditioned fighter in the world, he might be the best strategist, but with Fedor’s skill and his power, I just don’t see how Couture wins this fight. Fedor does cut easily, but who wants to see a proper dream match like this end on a cut? If they fought in a cage, I think that gives Couture a bit more of an advantage but I really don’t think that’d swing the fight his way. Nobody’s invincible and Fujita almost KO’ed Fedor a few years ago but Fedor really is exceptional. I hate to say it but I think he’d stop Randy.

Hywel Teague: I love Randy. Well, not love him exactly, I mean he’s a very nice guy and polite and all that but there is nothing ‘Brokeback’ about my feelings for him. The guy is a bonafide legend, but he worries me. It’s a bit like watching your dad fight, its not really something you want to see. He’s in his mid-forties now, and fair enough he still beats up younger guys than him but Fedor’s not just younger, he’s younger and dangerous. 

Fedor has got that style of throwing looping punches, similar to what Chuck used to KO Randy twice. His unorthodox striking could catch out Randy, even if he has improved his boxing. Fedor’s got great in and out speed, he controls the ranges really well, and Randy would be put on the back foot should they fight – no way that’s good for him. 

Fedor will prove a match in the clinch range, and should he go down he’s shown he can fight off his back, something Randy still can’t do. His combination of vicious, unpredictable striking, acceleration and movement coupled with his all-round grappling skills mean that Randy would find it hard to exploit any weakness like he usually does. I don’t think Fedor would have his way with him, but he wouldn’t be troubled either. Fedor by decision.  

Jim Burman: This makes a great retirement match for Randy. No, no, I mean that in a good way. He’s a legend in the sport, whatever happens here on in. Win, lose, whatever. This match is so huge though it would have to be his retirement match. Fedor is probably the most well-rounded fighter of all time so far, fast, brutal, technical. He’s got it all. But Randy is just Randy – pick him to lose and he’ll win. He’ll always surprise you.

I have no idea how Randy could win this fight but I’m picking him. As much as I’m a fan of Fedor, I cant pick against the big fella. It’s his retirement match because after this who could he ever fight? This match is so huge and if they marketed it right, which they would, they’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.

THE VERDICT: FEDOR 2-1 RANDY

Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva

HT: Chuck winds me up. Its like he shouldn’t be as good a fighter as he actually is. His style is awkward, his technique sloppy and his lifestyle, well, lets say a little on the excessive side. But he keeps on winning! And he doesn’t just win, he smashes people. That’s what Silva used to do, but look at him now. A few fights against bigger, tougher and more technical opponents has hurt him, and not just physically. He had one hell of a run in Pride, knocking out cans right left and center, but in my opinion his biggest loss to date is that of his mystique. 

Wanderlei used to be the psychopathic striker who would charge you down and try to kill you with brutal knees and punches. People sussed out his style and now he’s been exposed as a one tricky pony. He’s susceptible to getting hit, which you just can’t afford to do against Chuck – one shot and it's goodnight. Put them together and Silva looks the older, even through Chuck’s got about 5 or 6 years on him. Chuck may party hard but he fights smart, something Wanderlei’s never been known for. I see Chuck tagging Silva all day long, and the Brazilian’s skull may be hard, but that’s not going to help him against the looping punches. 

JB: Ok, precision striker vs brutal animal. I know this match isn’t as hot since Wanderlei got knocked out two times but that kind of makes it more interesting for me. These guys’ careers and lifestyles are so different at the moment. Chuck has just been on Punk’d and is a legit star in the fastest-growing promotion in the US living the single life. Silva’s a relative nobody in the US and lives a modest family life back in Brazil. I think that the match would be great, Silva is great going forward, Chuck is great going backwards.

Chuck has got excellent footwork but if Silva could trap him in a clinch or stick him in the fence and bring his aggression to bear then it’ll be trouble for him. I think that Silva would be more motivated to win this one. Dana said some stuff about him after he got knocked out and the Brazilian fighters love a grudge. If he takes some time to heal up and re work and focus his game then I see Silva taking it. How motivated is Chuck going to be to beat a guy that everyone thinks that he could beat? Also, I know the guy deserves a party as much as everybody else but he seems to like it a lot. If it happens in the next 12 months Chuck, if not, Silva. 

AG: I worry about Silva. He’s not that old but the way he fights, getting into so many wars, and just the fact he’s been at it so long, that’s a worry. And the way his last two fights ended, that’s an issue. They were very, very bad knockouts. Cro Cop just slaughtered him and Henderson just flattened him. I think he’s a shot fighter. I really wouldn’t like to see this fight, at least not for a while. 

If he still wants to fight at the top level, Silva needs some easy wins. Build up his confidence and try and work out how to fight with a bit more control. The way he charges in, I think Chuck would just pick him off. Liddell’s a fantastic counterpuncher, and a much better wrestler. His footwork’s odd and his big, wild punches probably shouldn’t have so much power behind them but they do. I’m certain he can spark Wanderlei with a single solid shot. I’d definitely go for Chuck.

THE VERDICT: CHUCK 3-0 WANDERLEI

Dan Henderson vs. Rich Franklin

JB: Henderson all day long. Franklin is a more rounded fighter than Henderson, he’s competent in all areas. Henderson is essentially a wrestler with heavy hands and a great anti-subs game. Henderson’s game plan is pretty obvious but that doesn’t mean that Franklin will be able to stop it. Plus look at the opposition that Henderson has fought and beat – Wanderlei, Busta, Ninja. Franklin just isn’t there I think. Henderson all the way home.

AG: Henderson went through a rough patch for a while where he was lucky to get a few decisions. He’d started just relying on swinging a massive right hand and seemed to forget about everything else. But I still think he’d hammer Franklin. It's not hard to work out what Henderson’s going to do – takedowns then pounding or just bash you in the face with that right hand. Doesn’t mean you can stop him doing it though. Plus he’s got so much experience against so many good fighters. 

Franklin’s chin is still suspect. He’s been dropped too many times and the only times he got really, really hurt, against Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva, he just fell apart and got stopped. I really like Franklin. He’s good at everything but he’s just not that great at anything. I’d pick Henderson every time.

HT: Henderson is probably pound-for-pound the best fighter around. Great wrestling, tough striking, durable, up for a scrap… The list goes on. Franklin’s too much of a goody-two-shoes to get down and dirty with Dan, and if you’re in the ring with Hendo there is no way you can avoid it becoming an ugly fight. 

Dan would club him with punches, rag him around in the clinch and smash him on the ground. Franklin may be the ‘prettier’ fighter, but his nice technique won’t mean a thing. Henderson would destroy Franklin. 

THE VERDICT: HENDERSON 3-0 FRANKLIN

Michael Bisping vs. Igor Vovchanchyn

JB: A great match of old versus new. It would look great too. Two guys who cut their teeth in kickboxing before expanding to MMA. Good, aggressive strikers who can throw combinations and love to go toe to toe. I think that Igor can still be a threat and if he takes the right fights can get right back in the mix. I think it’s a shame he’s overlooked, people forget how good he is and some of the fights he’s had, his performance in the original Pride grand prix, all that stuff. It’s hard not to like Mike though and I think this is a match that is well-pitched at his level. Bisping by TKO. 

AG: Igor’s not really old. He’s what? 32, something like that? But he’s just had so many fights. Such a hard career. Something like 70-80 MMA fights. That’s a lot of punishment, especially when he spent so long fighting bigger guys. He’s really short and he’s got short arms too. Somebody skilled like Bisping could really work him over from the outside. I think this would be a really good fight for Bisping. He’s younger, less shop-worn and not as rusty. Igor’s been inactive for a long time. If Bisping wins he’s beaten a guy everybody respects. If he loses, and I really don’t see that happening in 2007 or 2008 or whenever, the he’s lost to a legend in what would be a great fight. I’d love to see it happen, especially in England. 

HT: A real fantasy match-up for me! Can’t see it ever happening… Anyway, Mike’s riding high at the moment and he proved against Elvis he’s got guts as well as a ground-and-pound game. Vov is a tricky guy, sharp striker and deceptively good on the ground, but I don’t know, I think that Bisping would edge it, so long as he had time to prepare, and I don’t mean training time. Experience counts for a lot in the ring, and Bisping’s only just cracked into double-figures on his MMA resume… Igor’s had dozens of fights. I think the young buck could take the wily veteran, but this would be the biggest test by far of Bisping’s skills, and if it took place too early, could really harm his career. 

THE VERDICT: Bisping 3-0 Igor

Photography by Darby Swarchuck