Issue 158
November -0001
Four pros talk viewing habits, sparring nightmares and stimulation.
THE PROS
Other than the UFC, which promotion do you watch most?
ALEX NICHOLSON:
If I’m not watching the UFC, I’m watching Bellator.
TONY JOHNSON:
I like to watch Fight Nights Global and Bellator.
PAUL BRADLEY:
I enjoy watching M-1 Global in Russia. I also like the stuff on AXS TV, like Legacy Fighting Alliance.
PAUL CRAIG:
Let’s go for WWE (laughs).
Who is the most exciting fighter in MMA?
ALEX NICHOLSON:
It’s a tie between Conor McGregor and my teammate, Mike Perry.
TONY JOHNSON:
The most exciting fighter - Conor McGregor - bar none.
PAUL BRADLEY:
Right now, it has to be Yair Rodriguez. That dude is super creative.
PAUL CRAIG:
Marc Diakiese. That man is a stud. I worked with him in BAMMA. He was impressive then and since he signed for the UFC, he’s not disappointed.
Who’s your toughest sparring partner?
ALEX NICHOLSON:
It has to be a tie between Julien Williams and Mike Perry.
TONY JOHNSON:
Cain Velasquez. He broke my damn rib with a knee the first time we sparred. I still have a knot from it. He’s a super nice guy.
PAUL BRADLEY:
It has to be Phil Davis. It’s like I’m fighting three people when I spar with him.
PAUL CRAIG:
I’ve got a guy called ‘Devil’. He just takes everything. He’s made of concrete. His name is Chris Devlin and he’s a savage. I call him Big Rig because he’s huge.
Who is the physically strongest fighter you’ve faced?
ALEX NICHOLSON:
I found out at UFC Fight Night 82 that Misha Cirkunov is very strong.
TONY JOHNSON:
Derrick Lewis just hits so hard. I had a soft spot in my head after that fight.
PAUL BRADLEY:
I would say Mike Pierce was pretty damn strong. The same with Yushin Okami.
PAUL CRAIG:
Mark Godbeer will just pick you up and push you off if he’s in a difficult position.
Do you use anything to stimulate you?
ALEX NICHOLSON:
Yeah, I drink a s**t-load of coffee!
TONY JOHNSON:
I take a liquid vitamin B12. It’s amazing. There is no crash. Also, it doesn’t make your heart jump.
PAUL BRADLEY:
I like coffee before workouts. I don’t seem to crash off it.
PAUL CRAIG:
Because I’m so worried about USADA, we don’t know what’s in supplements, so I get my caffeine fix with coffee. I love a black coffee.
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