Fighters Only

Issue 102

June 2013

CAIN VELASQUEZ INTERESTED IN JON JONES BOUT

UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has opened the door to a potential superfight with 205lb hero Jon Jones. Velasquez told Los Angeles’ Fox 11 he would consider a bout with ‘Bones,’ who became UFC light heavyweight champion in 2011, if the matchmaking planets aligned.

Stating he thought a catchweight scrap would be possible, the 250lb Velasquez said: “If it all came down to it where there really wasn’t anybody else for me to fight in my division, and him in his division. But I think also with Daniel Cormier going into his (Jones’) weight class will definitely play a factor, because I think Daniel Cormier can beat him.”

Velasquez reiterated that despite his interest in a blockbuster battle with Jones, his focus is currently on his own weight class. “For me right now it’s just holding

the belt,” he said. “Whoever they put in front of me, my goal right now is to go out there, perform, win and hold that belt.”

British UFC middleweight Michael Bisping, 34, says he wants to continue fighting until he’s 42.

CAGE WARRIORS TO HOLD FLYWEIGHT TOURNEY

London-based promotion Cage Warriors will host a four-man, one-night tournament to determine the champion of its flyweight division this June in Dublin, Ireland. The two semi-final bouts are slated for the evening’s Facebook prelims, and will consist of two five-minute rounds, with a third if necessary. The five five-minute round final to crown the champion will be a feature bout on the televised main card. Cage Warriors matchmaker Ian Dean said: “With the number of promising flyweights in the UK and Europe increasing, it’s time these guys had a worthy title to aim for and I think this tournament will provide that opportunity.

BACK TALK

JOE LAUZON (UFC lightweight):

“Probably Jon Jones (would win). The reach (he has) is enormous, and Cain fights at heavyweight but I don’t think that he’s a particularly huge heavyweight, but I feel like Jon Jones is a huge light heavyweight. I think Jon Jones is a little bit quicker. But it’d be interesting because if Cain does put Jon on his back that changes everything. It’d be very exciting.”

41%

At 41%, rear naked choke attempts have the highest success rate of all commonly used submissions in the UFC, according to Fightnomics.com.

WHAT'S HOT

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Bit part or not, a must-see

WHAT'S NOT

WOLF HEARTS

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