Issue 169

November -0001

New weight divisions, bare-knuckle fighting, UFC’s move to ESPN, Michael Bisping memories and troll battles from four top pros

The Pro's


Eddie Gordon Ultimate Fighter 19 middleweight tournament winner.

Ashlee Evans-Smith UFC flyweight fighter and only woman to defeat Fallon Fox.

Elizabeth Phillips Bantamweight fighter who made her UFC debut in 2014

Chris Honeycutt Bellator middleweight and former UPC champion.

1. Should there be additional reform to add new weight classes to help fighters cut weight and compete in those classes?

Eddie Gordon

  • I think there should only be additional weight classes for the big jumps like 205 to heavyweight and maybe a 195 class.

Ashlee Evans-Smith

  • Definitely. Women have three compared with the men’s eight so we need a women’s atom weight class at least. I would hate to be a man stuck in the middle of light heavyweight and heavyweight. Either you deplete or fight a real-life Goliath!

Elizabeth Phillips

  • No, just harder punishment for fighters who don’t make weight. I have had an issue making weight and miscalculated it before. But I believe an occasional mistake is one thing, but if you are constantly missing weight, you need to move up a weight class.

Chris Honeycutt

  • I’m not opposed to there being new weight classes. I am doubtful that it would help with weight cutting. I believe in some cases it would, but with additional weight classes I could also see people trying to cut that much more.

2. Bare-knuckle fighting is back on the mainstream scene. What are your thoughts on its place in the current combat sports landscape?

Eddie Gordon

  • Whatever floats your boat, I guess. As long as there are regulations set to protect the fighters and the fans love it, I’m all for it.

Ashlee Evans-Smith

  • The new organization for BNF will be extremely popular with the masses. People love to see blood. It’s great as long as there are rules and regulations in place to keep everyone safe. However, I don’t think it will ever match the appeal of MMA.

Elizabeth Phillips

  • I personally won’t be doing bare knuckle fighting (laughs). I would think it would cause damage to you a lot more, but I am not very educated on the subject, so I don’t really have an opinion. All I gotta say is those motherfuckers are tough!

Chris Honeycutt

  • I find it fascinating. I actually was not aware of the event until I came across the highlights. As far as its place on the combat scene, it’s unknown yet. I think it has potential though.

3. The UFC will be moving from FOX to ESPN on their next deal. Any thoughts on the UFC heading to the ‘Worldwide Leader in Sports”?

Eddie Gordon

  • I think it’s great for the UFC but what about the fighters? As long as it helps the fighters then it’s a win-win.

Ashlee Evans-Smith

  • It would be great if the organization used some of that $1.5 billion to help fighters out with things that they currently do not. Such as helping pay athlete mandatory pre-fight medicals or possibly increasing pay scales. I guess only time will tell.

Elizabeth Phillips

  • I think it’s amazing they are moving to ESPN. I have always wanted to watch and be a part of ESPN. As a sport, I just feel like MMA is growing and becoming more mainstream.

Chris Honeycutt

  • That’s cool that they’re moving to ESPN, I don’t really follow the business side to the promotions but I would imagine it would be a win for the UFC.

4. The MMA community had an outpouring of praise as Michael Bisping recently announced his retirement. Do you have a favorite Bisping moment?

Eddie Gordon

  • I’m happy for Mike. He is a showman who fights the good fight. I really enjoyed when he KO’d Luke Rockhold. It sucked for Luke but that’s the savage game we play.

Ashlee Evans-Smith

  • I was on the edge of my seat when Bisping fought Rockhold for the middleweight title. It really touched me as a fighter and reminded me that if you are consistent and tenacious enough, the belt will come.

Elizabeth Phillips

  • I fought on the same card as him in Macau and we got to drive around Hong Kong. He was trash-talking Cung Le the whole time and I couldn’t stop laughing. When Le pissed hot I was glad that Bisping beat him. He was cool to me. Was an awesome experience.

Chris Honeycutt

  • I’m sure no fighter ever wants to stop but a smart fighter knows when to. I wouldn’t say I have a favorite single moment but I like that he is able to capitalize on small moments in a fight to turn it in his favor. I’d like to say congratulations to Michael on a successful career.

5. What is the biggest argument you have ever gotten into with an internet troll?

Eddie Gordon

  • I used to argue with a troll but now I just laugh. I hate when they talk trash about my teammates. When they talk about me, NFG!

Ashlee Evans-Smith

  • I abide by the phrase “don’t feed the trolls.” I read every comment and if it’s negative I delete and block. I have been known to defend fellow fighters like my best friend Carla. I have a thick skin, but if you talk about my friends it’s harder for me to hold my tongue.

Elizabeth Phillips

  • When trolls say, Never leave it in the hands of the judges, I just want to rip both their arms off and beat the shit out of them. They couldn’t even step in the cage, let alone know what it feels like to go 15 minutes with another beast. But what do I know? I’m just a pro fighter.

Chris Honeycutt

  • I try not to fall into the traps but I would say it was over the Pitbull breed. I try to explain that the breed has a bad reputation because they are abused. But most trolls just want to Google all the negatives and define the whole breed without even getting to know them.


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