Issue 171
November -0001
The Pro's
1: After Daniel Cormier’s incredible knockout of Stipe Miocic do you consider him the greatest of all time?
CHASE GORMLEY:
Daniel is the best, no doubt. Jones tested positive twice for steroids and if you use steroids all your accomplishments don’t count in my opinion.
ALAIN NGALANI:
Daniel Cormier is the champ and huge congrats on an amazing victory but “Greatest of All Time”? Not yet.
Miocic did an unprecedented job of defending that position successfully three times.
DEVIN POWELL:
Daniel Cormier is absolutely one of the best fighters ever to step inside that Octagon. But for me, I don’t think anyone can touch Demetrious Johnson’s body of work.
EMANUEL EJ BROOKS:
No disrespect to DC but I don’t really think he is in the conversation.
I feel the GOAT is GSP and a close second is Mighty Mouse Demetrious Johnson. He is the best technical fighter our sport has ever seen and he doesn’t get enough credit for the work that he has done.
2: Matt Serra recently had to step in and handle an unruly customer in order to keep the peace. Have you ever had to get physical with an average Joe on the street?
CHASE GORMLEY:
I worked as a bouncer for years, so unfortunately, yes I’ve dealt with drunks in public a lot.
You just want to control the situation because we are pro fighters and we don’t need to prove ourselves to anyone or even risk jail.
ALAIN NGALANI:
Matt Serra acted like a hero. He did it without hurting the guy and that is to be praised. Thank you, sir for using your skill to help maintain order.
DEVIN POWELL:
As ironic as it might seem, I have never been in a fistfight in my life aside from legally inside the cage.
I bounced for several years as well and have had to break up some minor fights but I have never thrown a punch or had to get truly physical with anyone.
EMANUEL EJ BROOKS:
Living in the St.Louis area can be a bit rough at times.
I’ve had my fair share of wannabe thugs and drunk Hoosiers step to me. I usually walk away as the bigger man, but I’ve had to check a fool a few times here and there.
3: How do you feel about your cornerman or coach stopping your fight in the heat of the battle?
CHASE GORMLEY:
Tough question. On one side, they are looking out for you and protecting you from your own ego.
On the other, this is how we make a living and a loss can break your career. So don’t put yourself in that situation. Just win!
ALAIN NGALANI:
Well, I guess that’s why it’s important to have in your corner a team of professionals that you trust with your life.
Therefore, you wouldn’t have to doubt any such decisions they could make in the middle of the heat.
DEVIN POWELL:
I trust my cornermen with my life. If they think I’m in a position where my life could be forever changed.
I believe they would make the right call but I also believe that the referees should be able to protect the fighter so the coaches don’t have to make those decisions.
EMANUEL EJ BROOKS:
I couldn’t imagine being beat up so bad in a fight my coaches would need to throw in the towel.
As a competitor, that’s just hard for me to wrap my head around. But if I’m in danger and I’m not making the right decision, I trust my corner to make that call.
4: Numerous current and former MMA fighters are appearing in movies nowadays. Do you have any silver screen aspirations?
CHASE GORMLEY:
No. I’m a plumber now. I work the ole 8-5. I mean, you never know, but I’m kind of anti-social, so I doubt it really. If other fighters are doing it, great. I wish them all the best.
ALAIN NGALANI:
Yes, as a matter of fact I just finished shooting an MMA movie that will be released by the beginning of next year.
DEVIN POWELL:
I absolutely love movies. I had a small role in Here Comes the Boom. I starred in a short comic book film called Unit 5 Drift and I was also in The Purge 3. I absolutely love playing minor roles in films and would love a chance to do it more often!
EMANUEL EJ BROOKS:
I would love to be in a big-time movie. I’ve done a couple of commercials and actually had a small role in a straight-to-DVD, low-budget film. Definitely nothing to brag about but I think I could act if given the opportunity.
5: There are rumors of yet another Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz scrap. Are you interested?
CHASE GORMLEY:
Sure! Chuck looks good and can probably still sling ‘em. Tito is a hard worker and – barring injuries – always ready to go. It seems like a legit fight, not just a money grab. I guess we’ll know more when it gets closer but I’m excited.
ALAIN NGALANI:
Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz? No one will ever get tired of it. Epic fight. These guys should never retire. It will be awesome!
DEVIN POWELL:
I think Tito Ortiz and Chuck could fight 1,000 times and it would still draw an audience. But you need to protect your brain. I think they are intelligent guys who can do their own things in any business they would like. But if they refuse to step down, I will be tuning in.
EMANUEL EJ BROOKS:
A part of me is excited and the other half doesn’t care. I feel like both of these guys are out of their prime. I can’t see it being competitive. It just seems like a big joke. I mean that with no disrespect to both fighters. They are true MMA legends and two of my former favorites.
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