Issue 179
November -0001
The Fighters
1: MMA as a whole has moved towards streaming and away from pay-per-view and cable. Do you think they’re eliminating the casual fan and stunting growth on some level?
MARC DIAKIESE:
I think it could make MMA bigger as a whole. Most people don’t have a clue about MMA but bringing it to ESPN makes it known to so many of those people, especially when highlights are shown on Sportscenter.
AUSTIN ARNETT:
No, I don’t think so. The future of television is streaming. Everyone knows that, so they are getting ahead of that but while doing that they are still having a lot of shows every year on cable ESPN which is a huge platform to get new fans.
ARLENE BLENCOWE:
If anything, streaming is making it more accessible for fans to watch the fights. Only last weekend I watched the Bellator fights streamed from my phone while I was out shopping. The convenience allows me to catch all the fights I want to watch.
ANTHONY PEROSH:
I don’t think so. If you look at other sports, movies and TV shows, they are streaming and have on demand options. It is the way of the future!
2: Conor McGregor was in the news again for destroying a fan’s cell phone. What’s the craziest fan interaction you’ve ever had?
MARC DIAKIESE:
A guy chased me outside my gym for a photo. Next thing, he’s changed all his profile pictures to the photo we took but cropped himself halfway out of them and made me his banner and put a section about me in his bio.
AUSTIN ARNETT:
It’s not to crazy but just kinda weird. I was at a Bellator event in Hawaii cornering my teammate Sam Sicilia and a fan came up to have me autograph a picture of me getting kicked in the head!
ARLENE BLENCOWE:
As the saying goes, “Respect earns respect”. I carry myself in a professional and respectful manner and I believe that’s the reason why I don’t have fans that are crazy and offensive towards me. I do get the occasional comment on posts here and there but very very rarely.
ANTHONY PEROSH:
I wish I had a story here. I will be honest nothing comes to mind. My fans have been very supportive and I didn’t find anything they did was weird. Does that make me weird?
3: TJ Dillashaw is the most recent high-profile fighter to have failed a drug test. What percentage of fighters do you think are on some type of performance-enhancing drugs?
MARC DIAKIESE:
It’s hard to say. I know we all work hard for this sport . When we’re at our best, we all probably look like we’re doping, but I wouldn’t be surprised if more than 75% of fighters do it.
AUSTIN ARNETT:
That’s a tough question. I always like to think everyone is competing with honor and not cheating, but it seems like a lot of fighters are cheating.
ARLENE BLENCOWE:
It’s easy to pick out the ones that are on something. I understand body types change but there’s definitely a lot in the sport that are on something. I know I can name a few (but won’t) In the end, they want to cheat, then that’s on them. They’ll get exposed one way or another.
ANTHONY PEROSH:
I am going to sit on the fence and not give you a number of what I think. A lot of fighters are getting caught. Maybe a lot more are using it and not getting caught!
4: Jorge Masvidal recently put a 3-piece on Leon Edwards backstage. Have you ever been a part of any backstage shenanigans at a fight?
MARC DIAKIESE:
I try to keep it calm backstage. Even when I know someone’s trying to push me, I’m here for a job so I do my best to ignore the extras.
AUSTIN ARNETT:
(Laughs) Nothing like Jorge did. I was happy he did it though. Leon had it coming and you don’t play those games with a guy like Jorge.
ARLENE BLENCOWE:
Unfortunately, I’m pretty boring backstage. While we are waiting for the fight I’m just calm and composed and have my pre-fight routine – stretching, breathing, a prayer, pads, etc. Then post fight I always go and see my opponent and thank them. That’s about it.
ANTHONY PEROSH:
I had most of my matches in the UFC in my 40s so most of my time backstage was spent napping before my fights (laughs).
5: NCAA March Madness is upon us. The NBA is heading towards the playoffs and Major League Baseball is just about to start its season. What’s your favorite non-combat sport?
MARC DIAKIESE:
Before I was a fighter I thought I’d play football. I was pretty good at it but once I started fighting I completely lost touch. I’ll catch a game here and there but I could watch fights all day.
AUSTIN ARNETT:
NFL is definitely my favorite non-combat sport. Probably because it basically is a combat sport. Also I’m a big basketball fan. I’m having a blast watching Gonzaga in the tournament right now. Go Zags!
ARLENE BLENCOWE:
I’ll watch any sport! But these days, soccer seems to be taking over my life. Both my partner and my son are goal keepers and train three nights a week. My son just made the Australian U/11s Futsal team that competes in Hawaii at the end of the year.
ANTHONY PEROSH:
I enjoy watching soccer, rugby league, Aussie Rules football and tennis. My favourite American sport is baseball.
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