J.G.’s “Massive Tuesday” Mailbag
Josh Gross Jul 3, 2007
We've got it all covered in this latest mailbag. Steroids. (Lots on
steroids.) Joe Rogan. Where B.J.
Penn (Pictures) goes after soundly defeating
Jens Pulver (Pictures). Thoughts on Frank Shamrock (Pictures). And a few random shots on other
MMA topics. Almost 3,500 words in the latest mailbag.
Steroids: the other side of the story
Hey Josh, huge fan of the show. I've noticed that as of late the
issue of steroids seems to be a prominent part of the show. I'm
sure you guys are almost as tired of talking about it as my fellow
listeners are of hearing it, but I understand its importance and
relevance in MMA.
First I would like to say that I am against the use of anabolic steroids in professional sports because of the unfair advantage it provides, however I cannot tolerate the false information presented by callers on the show. Steroids are not life threatening drugs that are ruining peoples' lives. I realize you are quite busy but I highly recommend you watch this video which is a report by Real Sports; it completely changed my outlook on steroids by presenting a few cases of healthy steroid users and the propaganda surrounding the use of these drugs. I would appreciate if you wrote back your thoughts or had a short discussion about it on the show. Oh yeah … TRIANGLE CHOKE!!! Keep up the good work. - Ken
While the piece does a great job of rounding out the way steroids have been covered by the media, it doesn't help anyone arguing steroids should be OK for use among competitive athletes. Come on: your average 60 year old isn't going to look like Mr. Olympia without the aid of anabolics, so you have to wonder what it's going to do for a man in his prime.
Like I've said on Beatdown, if someone is willing to risk their long-term health -- the piece debunks a lot of myths but it doesn't pretend to suggest there aren't medical dangers -- so be it; that's the price for playing. My issue with all performance-enhancers stands here: sport is about being tested in a competitive arena against other athletes or environments -- not at a urinal -- and having those results weighed and measured against past or future accomplishments.
I suppose you can make the argument that new technologies have altered all forms of competition. Tiger Woods tees off using an oversized titanium driver; Jack Nicklaus bombed shots using woods made from the dash of your typical Mercedes-Benz. Tiger hits the weights; Jack did not. Tiger uses video to help him on the practice range; Jack could not.
Are steroids any different than a titanium driver if no one can point to evidence of long-term negative effects?
I can't help but feel they don't belong in sports. They change the physical makeup of athletes -- yes I realize weight-training programs do that too -- but there's just something about athletes finding success with the aid of the stuff that seems, well, like cheating.
Does the penalty fit the crime?
I can't think of a time when an athlete was criminally charged for testing positive for an illegal drug but do you see a time when a commission's suspension will be the least of their problems?
Also there have been many questions on UFC testing of fighters in unsanctioned venues. Can the UFC have them sanction in Nevada or California even though the event will happen in say London? -- Henry, Texas
I can't think of a time when any athlete was criminally charged after testing positive for a banned substance. Now that's something that might deter some of these guys from using.
As far as the UFC requesting a regulatory body to oversee an event outside of its jurisdiction: sure doesn't seem likely.
Just say "Why?"
If MMA fighters are permitted to use drugs to boost their performance, then only participants who use performance-enhancing drugs will consistently be competitive. And it's no stretch to say the side effects of performance enhancing drugs are often debilitating and sometimes lethal.
That means that if MMA fighters are permitted to use such drugs, in order to fight competitively, the fighters will be required to ingest foreign substances that will likely damage them and may kill them.
As the lovers of MMA and admirers of its athletes, do we really want to create and support a system that, in essence, forces its participants to damage themselves with drugs in order to compete? Not me. Since when have we needed drugs to make spectacular fights? Athleticism and heart go a long way.
People can argue that the effects of MMA fighting are also "debilitating" and "dangerous," over even "lethal." I'd assert that MMA history tends to say otherwise.
Others might argue that each drug user makes a choice to take the drugs, hurting only him/herself. I'd assert that if people are willing to damage and possibly kill themselves in order to look different or get ahead at their jobs, they suffer from the same problem as bulimics and anorexics. We should help those people find more meaningful things in life, not make money off of their self-image problems. -- David B, Cleveland, OH
You raise an interesting point about what causes someone to put a foreign substance into their body that most people believe (the Real Sports report notwithstanding) will hurt you in the long run. It seems for many anabolic steroid users, the positives outweigh the negatives, which in regulated MMA are little more than a bit of embarrassment and a slap on the wrist.
(Fighters test positive and as soon as the suspension is done they're right back in the mix. What message does that send? Really, very little price is being paid.)
The guys that baffle me are the ones that use to improve their appearance. Is the look of a fighter so important to the marketing of a fighter that we've arrived at this point? If so, the sport needs to take serious stock of the direction it's headed.
And the effects are … ?
Seriously, what's gonna happen when they retire?
All this talk of Chris Benoit, the pro wrestler who apparently tragically killed his family and then killed him self, really has me thinking … what the hell is gonna happen to former MMA athletes?
MMA is often compared to pro-wrestling and the NFL when safety issues are brought up, but no one is looking at what is happening to ex football players and ex pro-wrestlers, and then relating it to MMA.
Look at the ex NFL players -- The problems with the retired NFL players are really making noise now. They live broke, injured, disabled, and they have to pay for the medical expenses. And the NFL doesn't do much about it. And they just leave the players alone after the players have made such a big profit for them at little charge to them. Sure, some critics can say "they're just money-hungry" but it's really not that. They are in trouble and it's just starting to be publicized now.
Look at the ex Pro-Wrestlers -- They are dying all the time, and it's not a joke. It's hard to take pro-wrestler's seriously when you see them in the news because you are used to them being a certain character, but it is a very serious issue. And no one talks about it! They just go on and forget about it. But now with this Benoit situation, it seems like a may come to a head, because of the gruesomeness of the act.
And this got me thinking about Mixed Martial Artists …
MMA is a sport, and Mixed Martial Artists are professional athletes. And I think they are on track to have the same retirement problems that Pro-Wrestlers and the NFL Players have.
Just look at the comparisons:
- In all three professions, athletes train like animals. It is all they do. And they are celebrated and praised for it. Ever heard this line in an MMA vs. Boxing argument. "MMA training is more difficult, and they train harder?" See? It is celebrated. And the same with the other two professions, and look how their ever-training athletes turned out.
- Besides the physical similarities, there are also mental similarities. The first is that in all three professions the athletes are trained to have a high degree of self-confidence and cockiness, in order to do well at their profession. But then their career's end when they are still very young in real life. They end so fast because they all had been over worked and overused. And the second similarity is that all three professions have such drastic ups-and-downs. In all three professions, especially MMA, the athletes are prepared like they are going to war and ready to give their lives. And when they win, the emotions are great, but when they lose, they are horrible. And they do it so often with all the brutal wins and losses.
Bottom line, I think all the signs are pointing towards retired Mixed Martial Artists having problems. But no one is talking about it right now. Instead, everyone is focusing on how great MMA is right now. We are at a very important time. We can either address the issue now, and help the first generation of retiring Mixed Martial Artists, or we can continue to ignore the signs and see what comes of it. But the window of time is closing, and the conversation, even if it's not a popular one, needs to start now. -- Jason Rothman
At least former NFL players and boxers have some pension coming. As of right now, unless an MMA fighter has a good financial planner, there won't be anything waiting when his or her fighter career is done.
We'll start to see what effects, if any, the rigorous training and fighting had on the first generation of mixed martial artists. And I'm afraid we'll see fighters ravaged by the wear and tear, most significantly when it comes to head trauma. Concussions are the real concern. Their effects could be tremendously debilitating. And while MMA has gotten by with the argument that boxers, not mixed martial artists, need to worry about damage to their brain, that just doesn't fly.
Cumulative blows to the head, being knocked out in the gym … it may not be as overt as boxing, but that issue is prevalent in MMA too.
Promoters and regulatory bodies need to come together to ensure mixed martial artists are taken care of when their fighting days are done. Some people are making a lot of money off the sweat and blood of today's fighters, and they have a responsibility to make sure these guys don't end up in the streets, fodder for a tear-jerking piece of reporting.
Rogan's thoughts
Joe's take on steroids and performance enhancing drugs in sports is ridiculous. People watch sports to see who has the best combination of skills and natural athleticism, not to see who has the best team of chemists working for them.
When you watch athletes who are hopped up on 'roids and all kinds of other drugs, what your watching isn't real. The performances aren't real, athletes aren't real, and their achievements aren't real. For all intensive purposes its pro wrestling. By the way, do a Google search on dead pro wrestlers, and then tell me that 'roids aren't bad for you.
Submission wrestlers get high because of weed's pain numbing effects. Also, show me one study that says weed increases concentration. You can't find one. Joe Rogan doesn't provide any insight and I don't need to hear him on Sherdog radio anymore.
Thanks and great job with all the radio shows. -- Vin in Springfield, Mass.
I'm all for dissenting opinion and thinking outside the box. Joe seems to do both without much effort, and he's welcome on the Sherdog Radio Network whenever he wants to chime in.
I watch sports because of the competition. Knowing athletes use steroids diminishes that for me.
I mentioned this on the radio, but I know people that have rolled on the mats after pulling a Johnny Blaze and they tell me they seem to grapple better when they're not yearning for Chocodiles.
Fear is not a factor for this guy
Thanks a lot for the Rogan Interview. Insight and Hilarity, perfect Beatdown. - Steve, Eagan, Minn.
So you're saying the less TJ and I talk, the better? Understandable.
Vince Lombardi is wrong
Perhaps it's time for Americans to accept the nature of the game! Winning many but not all and finding reasons to like the fighters with this in mind will grow on us. We accept our football teams with .500 records that make the playoffs, even cheer for them as 'underdogs'. I believe we can get into the mindset of finding favorite fighters that don't always have perfect records and enjoy the nature of the MMA beast.
There are some fighters that will be popular despite losses. But as a whole, American audiences will demand that their stars are winners -- especially if the UFC continues to build up guys as the "best fighter ever." If you've heard me on the radio or read my stuff, you know I'm a "winning is the only thing" kinda guy. I respect the idea of it because it's not easy to do. Of course that doesn't guarantee stardom -- that's reserved for fighters who are memorable in victory.
Fights have to mean something, this is sport after all. Defining importance on a win-loss scale is the easiest and most effective way to do that.
El Guapo
Do you think Bas would make a comeback in any capacity to the UFC or will he stick to his training and IFL gig? Id love to see "El Guapo" on some UFC PPV color commentary action!
Assuming the IFL doesn't go the way of the XFL, I'd guess that's where Bas will remain. He's disinterested in returning to the ring, and a return in any capacity with the UFC seems unlikely. But don't fear, Bas will always find some way to be in the lives of MMA fans. -- Dave King
Two-part question
How many Nogueira's are there? And what is the likeliness of them all coming to America anytime soon?
Fight Finder says nine. Homeland Security says not so good.
After the announcement of Jens Pulver (Pictures) going down to 145 lb. weight division what's the likeliness of the UFC creating that 145 featherweight division to continue to showcase Jens, or is it more likely that they'll push him as a huge star in their WEC brand?
Jens seems destined for the WEC. Wouldn't make much sense for the UFC to pilfer talent in a rapidly growing division when its main competitor would be another Zuffa-promoted company that's billed as specializing in those weights.
Where will Penn's ambitions take him?
I wanted to know what you thought of BJ's future. I suppose it looks like he will fight for the lightweight title and then may jump up to welterweight to face GSP and Matt -- and I assume a title shot there. (BJ at 170 with 7 percent body fat -- scary). But, I wanted to know how you felt about his ambition to fight in even higher weight classes. How would a well-conditioned BJ fair against a middle (Silva, Filho), light heavy (Rampage, Chuck), or heavy (Randy, Fedor)?
I believe that middleweight may be possible, but beyond that it may be a stretch. He may be more skilled than anyone on the planet, but a lesser skilled, but larger opponent would prove tough -- take the Machida fight for instance.
Also, what do you think the future holds for the MMA careers of Roger Gracie, Marcus Aurelio, and Marcelo Garcia (Pictures)? - Hank
B.J. Penn (Pictures) is incredibly talented. He's at his best at 155 because he's forced to train to get there. Fighting heavier than 170 against quality opposition is a disservice to his career, and I hope he avoids the temptation of fighting the guys you mentioned.
Roger Gracie (Pictures) and Marcelo Garcia (Pictures) are intriguing because of the success they've enjoyed in the submission grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu worlds. Having seen Gracie fight in person, he does seem to have a lot of potential. He's young and needs to fight the right kind of opponents to ensure he develops into the kind of mixed martial artist he can be. With Garcia, it remains to be seen how he'll react to taking punches. He's dynamic on the mat and could be a force, but you never really know until a guy takes his first good shot in the face.
Aurelio is a veteran of MMA and having spoken with him in the past, one of the best interviews in the sport. I've you're interviewing Marcus and can't get a good quote out of him, you should quit. I believe he's destined for the UFC lightweight division, and would be a welcome addition.
Penn-Hughes 3
I got a few questions, what are your thoughts on a possible Matt Hughes (Pictures) and BJ Penn 3? Penn stated in an interview that he wanted to "crush Matt Hughes (Pictures)." Uh oh for Hughes. Anyways, who do you think would win and will Joe Silva and Dana White set this up? BTW, rooting for Penn all the way, Hawaiian sovereignty!!! -- James Kang
If both are on their game it's a great fight. A trilogy with history and rivalry that features two fighters still very much at the top of their respective games, now that's something anyone can get behind. For all the criticism the UFC has taken regarding rematches, this one is a no-brainer. All things even, with each man at his peak, I make Penn the favorite.
GOAT?
Hey Josh, huge fan of the site and Beatdown and I wanted you're opinion on something. I think its pretty clear Fedor is the #1 heavyweight in the world, Do you think he has to fight anyone else to establish this and if so, who? And do you think he's the best pound for pounder in the world? And if not who? -- No Name Given
Just listen to other fighters. It's in stone at this point. I do believe he's the best fighter I've ever seen. He's incredibly focused and cerebral. He's a natural athlete. Technically there are few that can match what he does. He's survived after rough patches in a bout. And he faced a gauntlet of heavyweights. Do I think there are challenges for him out there? Sure. Barnett, Couture, Gonzaga, Arlovski -- all fights we haven't seen yet. And I think if he ends up signing with a promoter that has limited heavyweight talent (basically anywhere outside the UFC at this point) his legacy could suffer somewhat. But he'll always be highly regarded for what he did since joining PRIDE, and that praise is well deserved.
Memo to Frank
First of all, I want to commend you Josh for asking the tough questions to Frank Shamrock (Pictures). After listening to Frank tap dance around your question about his responsibility to at least want to fight the best middleweights in the world, it is clear that all he cares about is making as much money as he can beating up tomato cans. He has no interest competing against top middleweights not in the UFC such as Denis Kang (Pictures) and Matt Lindland (Pictures). Frank being so eager to fight Renzo Gracie (Pictures) is laughable. If he was so eager to fight Renzo, then he shouldn't have elbowed him repeatedly in the back of the head the first time around. Frank is nothing more than a shameless self-promoter out to make a quick buck. Memo to Frank: sack up, step up and fight the best competition available, and maybe, just maybe, hardcore fans will start to consider you a legend again. -- Andrew in Ottawa
Thanks for putting it straight to Frank Shamrock (Pictures). We want to see him tested and I'm glad you didn't let him off easy. Unfortunately it seemed clear he's much more about the show and the money than fighting the best. Regards - Eric
Steroids: the other side of the story
Advertisement
First I would like to say that I am against the use of anabolic steroids in professional sports because of the unfair advantage it provides, however I cannot tolerate the false information presented by callers on the show. Steroids are not life threatening drugs that are ruining peoples' lives. I realize you are quite busy but I highly recommend you watch this video which is a report by Real Sports; it completely changed my outlook on steroids by presenting a few cases of healthy steroid users and the propaganda surrounding the use of these drugs. I would appreciate if you wrote back your thoughts or had a short discussion about it on the show. Oh yeah … TRIANGLE CHOKE!!! Keep up the good work. - Ken
Thanks for that. I'm a huge fan of Real Sports, which is
responsible for some of the best sports journalism out there
today.
While the piece does a great job of rounding out the way steroids have been covered by the media, it doesn't help anyone arguing steroids should be OK for use among competitive athletes. Come on: your average 60 year old isn't going to look like Mr. Olympia without the aid of anabolics, so you have to wonder what it's going to do for a man in his prime.
Like I've said on Beatdown, if someone is willing to risk their long-term health -- the piece debunks a lot of myths but it doesn't pretend to suggest there aren't medical dangers -- so be it; that's the price for playing. My issue with all performance-enhancers stands here: sport is about being tested in a competitive arena against other athletes or environments -- not at a urinal -- and having those results weighed and measured against past or future accomplishments.
I suppose you can make the argument that new technologies have altered all forms of competition. Tiger Woods tees off using an oversized titanium driver; Jack Nicklaus bombed shots using woods made from the dash of your typical Mercedes-Benz. Tiger hits the weights; Jack did not. Tiger uses video to help him on the practice range; Jack could not.
Are steroids any different than a titanium driver if no one can point to evidence of long-term negative effects?
I can't help but feel they don't belong in sports. They change the physical makeup of athletes -- yes I realize weight-training programs do that too -- but there's just something about athletes finding success with the aid of the stuff that seems, well, like cheating.
Does the penalty fit the crime?
I can't think of a time when an athlete was criminally charged for testing positive for an illegal drug but do you see a time when a commission's suspension will be the least of their problems?
Also there have been many questions on UFC testing of fighters in unsanctioned venues. Can the UFC have them sanction in Nevada or California even though the event will happen in say London? -- Henry, Texas
I can't think of a time when any athlete was criminally charged after testing positive for a banned substance. Now that's something that might deter some of these guys from using.
As far as the UFC requesting a regulatory body to oversee an event outside of its jurisdiction: sure doesn't seem likely.
Just say "Why?"
If MMA fighters are permitted to use drugs to boost their performance, then only participants who use performance-enhancing drugs will consistently be competitive. And it's no stretch to say the side effects of performance enhancing drugs are often debilitating and sometimes lethal.
That means that if MMA fighters are permitted to use such drugs, in order to fight competitively, the fighters will be required to ingest foreign substances that will likely damage them and may kill them.
As the lovers of MMA and admirers of its athletes, do we really want to create and support a system that, in essence, forces its participants to damage themselves with drugs in order to compete? Not me. Since when have we needed drugs to make spectacular fights? Athleticism and heart go a long way.
People can argue that the effects of MMA fighting are also "debilitating" and "dangerous," over even "lethal." I'd assert that MMA history tends to say otherwise.
Others might argue that each drug user makes a choice to take the drugs, hurting only him/herself. I'd assert that if people are willing to damage and possibly kill themselves in order to look different or get ahead at their jobs, they suffer from the same problem as bulimics and anorexics. We should help those people find more meaningful things in life, not make money off of their self-image problems. -- David B, Cleveland, OH
You raise an interesting point about what causes someone to put a foreign substance into their body that most people believe (the Real Sports report notwithstanding) will hurt you in the long run. It seems for many anabolic steroid users, the positives outweigh the negatives, which in regulated MMA are little more than a bit of embarrassment and a slap on the wrist.
(Fighters test positive and as soon as the suspension is done they're right back in the mix. What message does that send? Really, very little price is being paid.)
The guys that baffle me are the ones that use to improve their appearance. Is the look of a fighter so important to the marketing of a fighter that we've arrived at this point? If so, the sport needs to take serious stock of the direction it's headed.
And the effects are … ?
Seriously, what's gonna happen when they retire?
All this talk of Chris Benoit, the pro wrestler who apparently tragically killed his family and then killed him self, really has me thinking … what the hell is gonna happen to former MMA athletes?
MMA is often compared to pro-wrestling and the NFL when safety issues are brought up, but no one is looking at what is happening to ex football players and ex pro-wrestlers, and then relating it to MMA.
Look at the ex NFL players -- The problems with the retired NFL players are really making noise now. They live broke, injured, disabled, and they have to pay for the medical expenses. And the NFL doesn't do much about it. And they just leave the players alone after the players have made such a big profit for them at little charge to them. Sure, some critics can say "they're just money-hungry" but it's really not that. They are in trouble and it's just starting to be publicized now.
Look at the ex Pro-Wrestlers -- They are dying all the time, and it's not a joke. It's hard to take pro-wrestler's seriously when you see them in the news because you are used to them being a certain character, but it is a very serious issue. And no one talks about it! They just go on and forget about it. But now with this Benoit situation, it seems like a may come to a head, because of the gruesomeness of the act.
And this got me thinking about Mixed Martial Artists …
MMA is a sport, and Mixed Martial Artists are professional athletes. And I think they are on track to have the same retirement problems that Pro-Wrestlers and the NFL Players have.
Just look at the comparisons:
- In all three professions, athletes train like animals. It is all they do. And they are celebrated and praised for it. Ever heard this line in an MMA vs. Boxing argument. "MMA training is more difficult, and they train harder?" See? It is celebrated. And the same with the other two professions, and look how their ever-training athletes turned out.
- Besides the physical similarities, there are also mental similarities. The first is that in all three professions the athletes are trained to have a high degree of self-confidence and cockiness, in order to do well at their profession. But then their career's end when they are still very young in real life. They end so fast because they all had been over worked and overused. And the second similarity is that all three professions have such drastic ups-and-downs. In all three professions, especially MMA, the athletes are prepared like they are going to war and ready to give their lives. And when they win, the emotions are great, but when they lose, they are horrible. And they do it so often with all the brutal wins and losses.
Bottom line, I think all the signs are pointing towards retired Mixed Martial Artists having problems. But no one is talking about it right now. Instead, everyone is focusing on how great MMA is right now. We are at a very important time. We can either address the issue now, and help the first generation of retiring Mixed Martial Artists, or we can continue to ignore the signs and see what comes of it. But the window of time is closing, and the conversation, even if it's not a popular one, needs to start now. -- Jason Rothman
At least former NFL players and boxers have some pension coming. As of right now, unless an MMA fighter has a good financial planner, there won't be anything waiting when his or her fighter career is done.
We'll start to see what effects, if any, the rigorous training and fighting had on the first generation of mixed martial artists. And I'm afraid we'll see fighters ravaged by the wear and tear, most significantly when it comes to head trauma. Concussions are the real concern. Their effects could be tremendously debilitating. And while MMA has gotten by with the argument that boxers, not mixed martial artists, need to worry about damage to their brain, that just doesn't fly.
Cumulative blows to the head, being knocked out in the gym … it may not be as overt as boxing, but that issue is prevalent in MMA too.
Promoters and regulatory bodies need to come together to ensure mixed martial artists are taken care of when their fighting days are done. Some people are making a lot of money off the sweat and blood of today's fighters, and they have a responsibility to make sure these guys don't end up in the streets, fodder for a tear-jerking piece of reporting.
Rogan's thoughts
Joe's take on steroids and performance enhancing drugs in sports is ridiculous. People watch sports to see who has the best combination of skills and natural athleticism, not to see who has the best team of chemists working for them.
When you watch athletes who are hopped up on 'roids and all kinds of other drugs, what your watching isn't real. The performances aren't real, athletes aren't real, and their achievements aren't real. For all intensive purposes its pro wrestling. By the way, do a Google search on dead pro wrestlers, and then tell me that 'roids aren't bad for you.
Submission wrestlers get high because of weed's pain numbing effects. Also, show me one study that says weed increases concentration. You can't find one. Joe Rogan doesn't provide any insight and I don't need to hear him on Sherdog radio anymore.
Thanks and great job with all the radio shows. -- Vin in Springfield, Mass.
I'm all for dissenting opinion and thinking outside the box. Joe seems to do both without much effort, and he's welcome on the Sherdog Radio Network whenever he wants to chime in.
I watch sports because of the competition. Knowing athletes use steroids diminishes that for me.
I mentioned this on the radio, but I know people that have rolled on the mats after pulling a Johnny Blaze and they tell me they seem to grapple better when they're not yearning for Chocodiles.
Fear is not a factor for this guy
Thanks a lot for the Rogan Interview. Insight and Hilarity, perfect Beatdown. - Steve, Eagan, Minn.
So you're saying the less TJ and I talk, the better? Understandable.
Vince Lombardi is wrong
Perhaps it's time for Americans to accept the nature of the game! Winning many but not all and finding reasons to like the fighters with this in mind will grow on us. We accept our football teams with .500 records that make the playoffs, even cheer for them as 'underdogs'. I believe we can get into the mindset of finding favorite fighters that don't always have perfect records and enjoy the nature of the MMA beast.
There are some fighters that will be popular despite losses. But as a whole, American audiences will demand that their stars are winners -- especially if the UFC continues to build up guys as the "best fighter ever." If you've heard me on the radio or read my stuff, you know I'm a "winning is the only thing" kinda guy. I respect the idea of it because it's not easy to do. Of course that doesn't guarantee stardom -- that's reserved for fighters who are memorable in victory.
Fights have to mean something, this is sport after all. Defining importance on a win-loss scale is the easiest and most effective way to do that.
El Guapo
Do you think Bas would make a comeback in any capacity to the UFC or will he stick to his training and IFL gig? Id love to see "El Guapo" on some UFC PPV color commentary action!
Assuming the IFL doesn't go the way of the XFL, I'd guess that's where Bas will remain. He's disinterested in returning to the ring, and a return in any capacity with the UFC seems unlikely. But don't fear, Bas will always find some way to be in the lives of MMA fans. -- Dave King
Two-part question
How many Nogueira's are there? And what is the likeliness of them all coming to America anytime soon?
Fight Finder says nine. Homeland Security says not so good.
After the announcement of Jens Pulver (Pictures) going down to 145 lb. weight division what's the likeliness of the UFC creating that 145 featherweight division to continue to showcase Jens, or is it more likely that they'll push him as a huge star in their WEC brand?
Jens seems destined for the WEC. Wouldn't make much sense for the UFC to pilfer talent in a rapidly growing division when its main competitor would be another Zuffa-promoted company that's billed as specializing in those weights.
Where will Penn's ambitions take him?
I wanted to know what you thought of BJ's future. I suppose it looks like he will fight for the lightweight title and then may jump up to welterweight to face GSP and Matt -- and I assume a title shot there. (BJ at 170 with 7 percent body fat -- scary). But, I wanted to know how you felt about his ambition to fight in even higher weight classes. How would a well-conditioned BJ fair against a middle (Silva, Filho), light heavy (Rampage, Chuck), or heavy (Randy, Fedor)?
I believe that middleweight may be possible, but beyond that it may be a stretch. He may be more skilled than anyone on the planet, but a lesser skilled, but larger opponent would prove tough -- take the Machida fight for instance.
Also, what do you think the future holds for the MMA careers of Roger Gracie, Marcus Aurelio, and Marcelo Garcia (Pictures)? - Hank
B.J. Penn (Pictures) is incredibly talented. He's at his best at 155 because he's forced to train to get there. Fighting heavier than 170 against quality opposition is a disservice to his career, and I hope he avoids the temptation of fighting the guys you mentioned.
Roger Gracie (Pictures) and Marcelo Garcia (Pictures) are intriguing because of the success they've enjoyed in the submission grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu worlds. Having seen Gracie fight in person, he does seem to have a lot of potential. He's young and needs to fight the right kind of opponents to ensure he develops into the kind of mixed martial artist he can be. With Garcia, it remains to be seen how he'll react to taking punches. He's dynamic on the mat and could be a force, but you never really know until a guy takes his first good shot in the face.
Aurelio is a veteran of MMA and having spoken with him in the past, one of the best interviews in the sport. I've you're interviewing Marcus and can't get a good quote out of him, you should quit. I believe he's destined for the UFC lightweight division, and would be a welcome addition.
Penn-Hughes 3
I got a few questions, what are your thoughts on a possible Matt Hughes (Pictures) and BJ Penn 3? Penn stated in an interview that he wanted to "crush Matt Hughes (Pictures)." Uh oh for Hughes. Anyways, who do you think would win and will Joe Silva and Dana White set this up? BTW, rooting for Penn all the way, Hawaiian sovereignty!!! -- James Kang
If both are on their game it's a great fight. A trilogy with history and rivalry that features two fighters still very much at the top of their respective games, now that's something anyone can get behind. For all the criticism the UFC has taken regarding rematches, this one is a no-brainer. All things even, with each man at his peak, I make Penn the favorite.
GOAT?
Hey Josh, huge fan of the site and Beatdown and I wanted you're opinion on something. I think its pretty clear Fedor is the #1 heavyweight in the world, Do you think he has to fight anyone else to establish this and if so, who? And do you think he's the best pound for pounder in the world? And if not who? -- No Name Given
Just listen to other fighters. It's in stone at this point. I do believe he's the best fighter I've ever seen. He's incredibly focused and cerebral. He's a natural athlete. Technically there are few that can match what he does. He's survived after rough patches in a bout. And he faced a gauntlet of heavyweights. Do I think there are challenges for him out there? Sure. Barnett, Couture, Gonzaga, Arlovski -- all fights we haven't seen yet. And I think if he ends up signing with a promoter that has limited heavyweight talent (basically anywhere outside the UFC at this point) his legacy could suffer somewhat. But he'll always be highly regarded for what he did since joining PRIDE, and that praise is well deserved.
Memo to Frank
First of all, I want to commend you Josh for asking the tough questions to Frank Shamrock (Pictures). After listening to Frank tap dance around your question about his responsibility to at least want to fight the best middleweights in the world, it is clear that all he cares about is making as much money as he can beating up tomato cans. He has no interest competing against top middleweights not in the UFC such as Denis Kang (Pictures) and Matt Lindland (Pictures). Frank being so eager to fight Renzo Gracie (Pictures) is laughable. If he was so eager to fight Renzo, then he shouldn't have elbowed him repeatedly in the back of the head the first time around. Frank is nothing more than a shameless self-promoter out to make a quick buck. Memo to Frank: sack up, step up and fight the best competition available, and maybe, just maybe, hardcore fans will start to consider you a legend again. -- Andrew in Ottawa
Thanks for putting it straight to Frank Shamrock (Pictures). We want to see him tested and I'm glad you didn't let him off easy. Unfortunately it seemed clear he's much more about the show and the money than fighting the best. Regards - Eric
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