Fighters Only

Issue 178

November -0001

The Fighters

David Rickels The Wichita lightweight, 30, is at Bellator with a 20-5 record

Matt Bessette Former Bellator featherweight, 34, now at the UFC (22-9)

Ryan LaFlare Recently retired welterweight, 35, who finished with a 14-3 record

Cody Bollinger AKA “The Cali Cowboy”, 27, Bellator lightweight (19-7)

1. Former UFC heavyweight champ, Cain Velasquez made his long-awaited return only to get stopped by Francis Ngannou in the first round. What do you think Cain’s future holds?

David Rickels

Man, that was hard to watch. You really saw a different Cain in my opinion. I’m not sure his body can handle it at that level anymore.

Matt Bessette

I think he can still hang with top 10 guys. As long as his knee turns out OK, he could still beat most of them. But I don’t understand why you put him against Francis right away. 2½ years off and you put him in with the most dangerous man in the world.

Ryan LaFlare

I think Cain is one of the best heavyweights of all time but, like myself, I don’t think his body can handle what it takes to compete at the highest level

Cody Bollinger

I think Cain will be back. You can tell he’s still there mentally. Hopefully his body allows him to compete again soon.

2. Matt Mitrione ended Sergei Kharitonov’s night with a vicious low blow. What’s the worst illegal blow you’ve taken in a fight?

David Rickels

Well, I haven’t received one but I kicked Karl Amoussou so hard in the junk that they had to literally pull it (the cup) out and replace it because it was broken.

Matt Bessette

I’ve been poked in the eye a few times and kicked in the balls, too. Those suck, but I’ve always continued and fought through it. I’ve been kneed in the head while I was down before. The ref usually intervenes, but I’ve always been OK to keep fighting.

Ryan LaFlare

I’ve been poked in the eye but haven’t taken any big shots like that. But since I’m a lefty I’ve accidentally thrown one or two.

Cody Bollinger

I’ve taken a few nut shots but thankfully nothing too serious over my span of 25 fights.

3. It looks like Conor McGregor’s next fight will be against Donald Cerrone. Who wins and why?

David Rickels

Conor will win. I believe he’s sharper with the hands and he has great power. I also don’t think it will be an easy fight. I think it will be a good battle. Cerrone has much better kicks.

Matt Bessette

Conor wins if the old Conor shows up, the Conor that is light on his feet, using feints and footwork to freeze his opponent. However, it would be cool to see Cowboy bring the fi ght to the ground and play the jits game with Conor.

Ryan LaFlare

I think it’s a toss-up. I will probably go with Conor because Cowboy is usually a slow starter. And Conor isn’t someone you want to give a head start to.

Cody Bollinger

You heard Cowboy, right? It will be a second round headkick. That’s how that fight ends!

4. Who did it better, the UFC Just Bleed guy or the recent UFC nose-picker?

David Rickels

I’m old school. You can’t beat the Just Bleed guy. Can we have them fight each other? I’d pay $9.99 for that pay-per-view.

Matt Bessette

Hahaha nobody will ever outdo the Just Bleed guy. He’s the G.O.A.T.

Ryan LaFlare

I’m not familiar with either of the two. But my buddy just recently told me about the Just Bleed guy and I’ve heard he’s a legend.

Cody Bollinger

The UFC Just Bleed guy. Hands down. (Laughs).

5. Video has recently surfaced of Drake hitting mitts while rapper, T.I. just challenged Floyd Mayweather to a fight. Which celeb, if any, has your respect as a potential scrapper?

David Rickels

Man, I wanna watch Shaq fight. I was watching him hit pads and he looked as good as any other heavyweight. Realistically, I think none of them deserves a high level fight, but I’d watch them all.

Matt Bessette

When I was a kid, before I had any idea who was a bad MF and who wasn’t, I thought that Pac, Ghostface Killa, Method Man, and Mr. Cheeks were bad dudes!

Ryan LaFlare