Fan Fuel: UFC Central Ask the Insider on Fallon Fox

In this week's edition of UFC Ask the Insider, Showdown Joe weighs in on the Fallon Fox debate.

BY SHOWDOWN JOE FERRARO

It’s been a whirlwind of a week for yours truly, but thankfully, it’s Thursday, so I am mandated to sit down and address many of your intriguing questions pertaining to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Most came in via my Twitter, but this week, we have one from my Facebook page as well.

I obviously have a biased opinion, but it’s difficult as it is to get fighters to do interviews talking about their bouts (pre and post) that if they are now told to not do any other interviews, it will make the media’s job far more difficult than it already is.

The issue isn’t necessarily the party asking the question, but more often than not, it’s the subject. While there are plenty of interviewers who ask questions solely to spark up friction, not everyone falls into this category. Asking someone’s opinion on any related topic should not be frowned upon; it’s up to the party being asked whether or not they chose to comment on a controversial subject or simply have no comment at all.

I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll say it again – the trajectory the sport of MMA is taking is akin to many other professional sports, where answers are becoming canned or fabricated, while we are losing the original honesty we (consumers of MMA) have been accustomed to, and continue to lose on a somewhat daily basis.

I don’t believe all fighters should be penalized for one fighter’s opinion, while simultaneously punishing the fans. The athlete who made the controversial remark should be coached and/or suspended accordingly.

I don’t believe it has. In fact, I believe it’s been brought to the forefront.

I am far from a medical expert and thus far, my research on this very subject has produced less than satisfactory results. I do not know much about hormonal therapy and the surgery that reassigns a person’s gender. On the surface level, I would want to know what happens to the body’s ability to produce testosterone, pre and post operation(s).

That’s a small but important piece of information that appears to be key, when talking about a party who has been operated on to legally go from being a man, to a woman. But when the party now wants to compete in Mixed Martial Arts, what does this mean for the safety of their opponents?

If the levels are akin to a woman’s, that moves the match-up one step closer to being a safe one, but more info should be gathered. If it does not, then it appears as if a serious issue can be avoided by simply not allowing the party to compete, until more info can be gathered.

This light heavyweight debate is a fun one to try and forecast.

Lyoto Machida has already earned the right to fight for the title again. The reasons why he has not been granted the title shot is twofold. First and foremost, Chael Sonnen has been given the next crack and Jon Jones. Second, I believe the UFC was waiting to see if Alexander Gustaffson could have defeated Gegard Mousasi, with “The Mauler”, leapfrogging “The Dragon “in the “who’s next” in the title shot lineup.

The other variables are the final result of the Jones / Sonnen bout. If Jon wins, the equation is far easier for the UFC to figure out. Machida would likely be next. If Jon is injured, then perhaps Machida and Gustaffson can determine who’s next. Now if Chael wins, my natural assumption is that Jon will be given an immediate rematch.

We’ll get our answer on April 21st – stay tuned.

I don’t believe so. I think Hardy is just fine at welterweight, but before he can ever compete again, he has to address the issue with his “wolf heart”. Once that is rectified, he can return to competition. Now, could he make lightweight? I believe so – but does he really want to do that at this stage in his career? Probably not, but if you know Dan the way I do: never say never.

And from my Facebook page, Jamie Coleman asked “What’s your take on the new season of tuf I heard Dana is going to stock the house with condoms u think it’s going to be too much like big brother or be just as competitive as the rest of the seasons? I’m pretty interested to see how this all pans out”

I’m not sure where you heard that information, but it would not surprise me one bit. Sixteen fighters, male and female, will be trapped in a house for six weeks. I need not say more, especially if folks have followed many of my interviews with Dana and those who have endured the hardship that comes with being in that house. People can dismiss it all they want, but it’s a fact and it’s a reality. No need to shy away from it, whether or not, it’s a sensitive subject to some.

I also don’t believe it will affect any of the bouts whatsoever – the bottom line is that a UFC contract is on the line, so I cannot see most parties not giving it their all inside the octagon. Mentally, should there be a showmance, then perhaps it could affect some in a negative way, or it could turn out to be a positive, as they may want to show off to their new mate, who would be watching cage side.

Who knows really? It’s uncharted territory for everyone involved, and every one watching as well. Either way, I’m excited to see how it all pans out.

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