BY SHOWDOWN JOE FERRARO
After a one week hiatus, “Ask The Insider” is back. I lay full blame to my intense schedule last week covering UFC 159, but truth be told, I missed doing this column. It’s one of my favourites to do, so let’s get back in the groove.
“@showdownjoe: Last call for your “Ask The Insider” segment. Fire away…” Who is the “GSP”? Will Canada ever be represented by #1 PPV star?
— Joe Botnick (@RelentlessJOEB) May 1, 2013
My natural assumption is that you are asking if there is another “GSP” on the horizon, specifically from “The Great White North”. My initial answer is no, albeit the closest any one fighter is to being a pay per view draw, is Georges teammate Rory MacDonald.
Having chronicled GSP’s career from his MMA debut to his current superstardom, there are many things missing from my personal checklist that separates what GSP does vs. what Rory is currently willing to do. If, in time, these items are met (and it’s not my job to list them), then “Ares” can actually get close to Georges’ drawing power. But they are two, completely different personalities and would have to be marketed in different manners. I’ll let time dictate whether I’m write or wrong.
@cpalazzo I heard we might get Gus/Machida and the winner is no 1 contender. Who knows with the way Dana runs the UFC. LOL
— Justin Fischer (@FozzyFiend) May 1, 2013
At the moment the biggest issue is whether he heals that injured big toe properly. After that, it’s likely Alexander Gustaffson, who Jones asked for. If not, it will be the winner of Gustaffson vs. Lyoto Machida, as I’m hearing that could be next for both light heavyweight contenders. It all depends on Jones’ recovery time, which right now stands at two months.
@showdownjoe Could you explain adrenaline dump, and any fights where a fighter could have suffered from it (very subjective, but Couture?)
— Tin Man (@T1nmaN4tW) May 1, 2013
Also called “Tachypsychia”, symptoms of an adrenaline dump include increased heart rate and blood pressure, the bronchial passages dilating, tunnel vision and glucose being released in the body. Many athletes have stated it’s a rise in effort followed by a quick, exhausting release of power, to the point they weaken and cannot perform accordingly.
It happens in all sports, not just MMA, and controlling it can be tricky. The most common answers I’ve received is simply to slow down, breath efficiently and to be cognizant of what is happening in the body. I’ve also been backstage and seen guys have adrenaline dumps after quick wins (or losses) and it’s not a pretty sight. It’s actually scary.
In most cases, the body’s threshold to deal with physical pain peaks during adrenaline induced activity, but once it’s over, and pain (and reality sets in). Ask Jon Jones after he noticed his big toe was broken and Tim Sylvia, after Frank Mir broke his arm.
@showdownjoe will silva and John jones fight forsure? What happens if wideman beats silva what happens then or will it still take place?
— Sheldon Berner (@bigdaddyberner) May 1, 2013
Nothing is for sure, and if Weidman defeats Silva, Anderson will get an automatic rematch. If he accepts it, then there will be no big super fights for a while. If Silva wins, then yes there are options, as in Jon Jones (who will first have to clear out his division) and GSP, should he defeat Johny Hendricks.
If you are reading between the lines here, it’s the same answer since the very first time GSP vs. Silva came about over four years ago. There are always stars that need to align, and once they do, then, maybe, we’ll see some super fights.
@showdownjoe What’s your opinion on GSP dropping to LW and fighting Ben Henderson?
— Joe Taggart (@ToastedJoe) May 1, 2013
I don’t think Georges could drop to lightweight, and I don’t believe he’s interested in a match up with Henderson. Bendo has a lot of work to do to clear out the 155 lbs division. So it’s a pipe dream to me.
Georges only has a few more fights left: Hendricks, then maybe Anderson Silva. If Anderson loses to Weidman though, Team GSP will likely reset, and formulate a final game plan for Georges.
@showdownjoe in your humble opinion: Sonnen and Mir .. Should they retire ?
— Randy Chiasson (@RandyChias) May 1, 2013
Not yet – I’d like to see Sonnen take on Wanderlei Silva at 205 lbs next, while Mir has at least one, maybe two more fights in him. Chael’s last three losses have come to the sport’s top pound for pound fighters – even though he can’t defeat these guys, the same can be said for every other mixed martial artist under the UFC roster. If anyone can name one guy who has legitimately defeated Anderson and Jonny, I’m all ears.
As for Mir, he’s closer to retirement than Chael is. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here, but time is not on his side, nor are the options at heavyweight.
@showdownjoe has @roynelsonmma improved drastically since his 1st JDS fight & does he deserve another title shot? Break it down Joe.
— Jeff Lebold (@JeffLebold) May 1, 2013
I wouldn’t say drastically. To yours truly, Roy is still Roy. He’s got great skills and is often underappreciated because of his physical appearance. The best part of Nelson’s game is that he’s beating people up in the stand-up realm. He hasn’t had to use his Jitz much. That’s the dangerous part of Nelson’s game, not just his knockout power.
Does he deserve a title shot? Not yet, and that’s because he has one more hurdle to overcome, and it’s called Daniel Cormier. A win over Cormier will surely bump “Big Country” to the front of the line. If it doesn’t, well… (Google Roy’s history with Dana).
@showdownjoe with another fighter testing positive for THC, how do you think the ufc should handle it going forward? Same as a PED positive?
— Shawn Prosper (@Daewolf) May 1, 2013
I believe they are handling just as an Athletic Commission would handle it (sort of). If it was Nevada, who knows what Robert Peralta would have received, but until the rules regarding marijuana are changed with the AC’s, the UFC will simply follow suit with what their regulators would likely do in a similar scenario.
@showdownjoe what could be done to avoid poking incidents like we had last week end ?
— foril (@forilqc) May 1, 2013
One way is to change the Unified Rules of MMA or at least enforce Foul No. 4, which states:
The following are fouls and will result in penalties if committed:…
4. Eye gouging of any kind;
Eye gouging by means of fingers, chin, or elbow is illegal. Legal strikes or punches that contact the fighter’s eye socket are not eye gouging and shall be considered legal attacks.
Unless the design of MMA gloves are changed, this is a problem that will stay within the sport. Now, if a ref is noticing that a fighter is purposely using his fingers to strike his opponent (which happens all the time), an immediate warning should be issued, and a potential point deducted right away. That will change a fighter’s game plan quickly. But accidents happen, and it’s the nature of the sport today.
@showdownjoe Would love to see you do an perspective of why MMA fails to thrive in Ontario outside of the UFC.
— Ron Hermiston (@rherm72) April 30, 2013
If you’ve followed my career, one thing you may have noticed is I often do whatever is necessary to avoid burning bridges. I don’t believe it’s in my best interest, considering some of my future plans, to voice my opinion on why MMA in Ontario isn’t flourishing.
I’ll remain steadfast and simply repeat what I’ve long been stating: until there is a change in policy and procedure from both the ministries that govern amateur and professional MMA, the status quo will remain.
And I’ve been saying that since my first encounter with both ministries in 1996. It’s been 17 years, and MMA has progressed at a snail’s pace here. It is what it is, and will continue to evolve in this manner until changes are made to help foster the development of both the sport, and it’s athletes.