Issue 180
November -0001
Craziest behavior; getting along with USADA; interest in boxing; late withdrawals by opponents and memories of Rich Franklin from four top fighters
The Fighters
1. Darren Till was recently arrested for allegedly stealing a cab and trashing a hotel. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done or witnessed from another fighter?
Luis Pena
- Let’s just say I love strippers and leave it at that!
Paul Bradley
- The Till thing just sounds like he’s living that rock star lifestyle right now. He’s young and maybe a bit immature but it will pass and he will grow out of it.
Noad Lahat
- I went to war four times. I always made sure to surround myself with good and mature people.
Max Griffin
- During a fight, a guy I know supposedly lost his mouthpiece. A teammate let him borrow hers. Gross AF. Then that one is gone, too. The ref is gonna stop the fight. Then he pulls the original mouthpiece out of his cup! Puts it in his mouth. Ref waves off the fight! Wild right?!
2. It seems more and more fighters are getting charged by USADA and some are saying USADA’s methods aren’t completely professional. What’s been your experience with them?
Luis Pena
- I don’t have a problem with USADA as I don’t use PEDs, but they make it ridiculously inconvenient. I also fi nd it weird that I’ve been in the UFC less than a year and have been tested something like seven or eight times.
Paul Bradley
- I’ve never had to deal with USADA but at this point it seems like you cannot even take an Advil without popping. The fi ghters need to take some responsibility but at this point USADA’s methods seem to be a bit extreme.
Noad Lahat
- I loved being under USADA’s supervision. It’s a pain in the ass but I knew I fight clean fighters.
Max Griffin
- They’ve been pretty cool for the most part. Something just happened the other Saturday though and I’m going back and forth to see if I get a miss or not. Hopefully I don’t or it’s gonna be some bullshit in which I’ll rally for some improvements.
3. UFC president Dana White has made no secret about wanting to enter the world of boxing. Do you have any interest in lacing those gloves up?
Luis Pena
- I’ve already boxed both professionally and as an amateur. I’d love to have the opportunity to box again. I also wish they’d let me fight in Glory. Paul Bradley.
Paul Bradley
- No interest in boxing. It’s not my forte.
Noad Lahat
- I’m a prize fighter. I’ll go there if they pay!
Max Griffin
- Oh shit. I would love to box. These guys would have to catch these hands (laughs). But yeah, I want to do it all.
4. What’s the latest an opponent has ever pulled out of a fight with you.
Luis Pena
- That would be after weigh-ins but I’ve had teammates who have had opponents drop literally as they were walking to the cage. Unfortunately, outside of the absolute top level that’s always going to be a problem.
Paul Bradley
- I’ve had opponents pull out a week off . Thankfully I usually was able to get a replacement.
Noad Lahat
- After weigh-ins. We had a stare down and I never saw him again.
Max Griffin
- Crazy as it sounds, Andre Fili was coming up to 170 to fight for my West Coast Fighting Championship belt. He got signed to the UFC to make his debut just days before.
5. It’s just been announced that Rich Franklin will be the newest inductee to the UFC Hall of Fame. Do you have a favorite Rich moment?
Luis Pena
- When he first won the title a short documentary was made on the rise of MMA and Rich was the main subject. Just learning about his story helped open my eyes to fighters being more than just fighting. He really inspired me.
Paul Bradley
- I would say it was his first fight with Anderson Silva. It was a changing of the guard for the sport.
Noad Lahat
- The way he carried himself as a real man with respect, win or lose. Something that is a little missing today.
Max Griffin
- Yo, his fight with Chuck Liddell was off the chain. Back and forth then... boom! Huge knockout! It was a legendary win in his career.
