Issue 148
November -0001
THE PRO'S
What would it mean for you to fight at Madison Square Garden?
JOE WARREN:
I’ve fought and won there a couple of times in the Grapple at the Garden events. It’s a special location.
Of course, to be able to walk to the Bellator cage there would be incredible.
RYAN BADER:
I guess it would be cool but I’m not from that area, so if I don’t fight there, it doesn’t matter. For me, it’s about getting out and seeing the world and fighting in front of new fans.
STEVIE RAY:
It would be cool, but if I’m on the New York card I’m probably going to be the first fight on the prelims or something.
It’s sometimes best to get on the main card.
GUNNAR NELSON:
That would have great. I spend a lot of time in New York training at Renzo Gracie Academy.
It’s a place I know and like so I want to experience fighting in New York.
Do you go to small, local MMA shows?
JOE WARREN:
I don’t have the time. Not with training and kids.
RYAN BADER:
I’ll go to support our fighters and corner them or just watch, for sure.
STEVIE RAY:
A lot of my teammates fight on the local shows, so I’m either going to corner them or support them.
GUNNAR NELSON:
I enjoy the smaller shows. It reminds me of when I was coming up.
You can see yourself in there. It’s also great to see people you know make that walk and put their heart on the line.
What was your favorite MMA moment of 2016?
JOE WARREN:
Michael Page winning in London with that spectacular flying knee against ‘Cyborg’ was pretty special.
RYAN BADER:
The Lawler-Condit (fight) was good. I liked that.
STEVIE RAY:
McGregor-Diaz (2). I really enjoyed that. It was a close one. McGregor won a round, Diaz won a round, Diaz nearly stopped him, McGregor nearly stopped him.
That was an exciting fight.
GUNNAR NELSON:
The second fight of my teammate – Conor McGregor – against Nate Diaz.
Who was the first mixed martial artist you looked up to or admired?
JOE WARREN:
All the guys at Grudge – Dan Henderson and Randy Couture of course.
Those guys took me and turned me from an Olympic wrestler into a fighter.
RYAN BADER:
Dan Henderson. Coming from a wrestling background I would gravitate to watch those guys.
And Fedor, because he was so good back then.
STEVIE RAY:
Probably GSP. I like his attitude – how he was humble. I liked the way he trained – he thinks outside the box doing gymnastics and swimming – and just the fact he was humble.
GUNNAR NELSON:
Fedor Emelianenko. He was my first favorite fighter. I always liked his style and his approach.
If you could pick your next opponent, who would it be?
JOE WARREN:
Whoever has the world title. I’m in this for the money and I never earned more than when I was champion.
I want that belt back to provide a better life for my family.
RYAN BADER:
I’d love to fight (Daniel) Cormier. We have a little history there and I’d love to earn my way back to a title shot.
But right now I’m just having fun, so whoever it is, I’ll take them out.
STEVIE RAY:
I was thinking maybe Ross Pearson. I quite like that fight. That would be cool.
GUNNAR NELSON:
I’m just looking to this next fight (in Belfast) and that’s all for now
