The Sunday Junkie: April 7 edition

Despite some hurdles, UFC on FUEL TV 9 is in the books, and readers were anxious to discuss Saturday’s show in this week’s edition of The Sunday Junkie.

Of course, Friday’s Invicta FC 5 event, Conor McGregor‘s UFC debut, Dana White’s recent comments and Nick Diaz also are discussed.

This week’s winner of our weekly reader-feedback feature, Canada’s Cody Ryan, focused on what a likely surgery for Gegard Mousasi means for the UFC’s light-heavyweight division, specifically Alexander Gustafsson.

For his winning entry, Cody wins a free one-year subscription to “Fighters Only” magazine, the world’s leading MMA and lifestyle magazine.

Want to submit to next week’s edition of The Sunday Junkie? Scroll to the bottom of the page for instructions.

Also, as a reminder, please be sure to include your hometown and stick within the 150-word limit (and include your submission in the body of an email, not in an attachment). Many quality submissions this week didn’t meet those minimum guidelines and couldn’t be considered for publication.

(Pictured: Alexander Gustafsson)

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GUSTAFSSON VS. MACHIDA IS THE FIGHT TO MAKE

While Gegard Mousasi did defeat Ilir Latifi on Saturday in Sweden, he did so on one bad knee, which reportedly now needs surgery. This news will delay the much-talked about fight between “The Dreamcatcher” and Alexander Gustafsson, and because of Mousasi’s surgery, this fight may not happen in the foreseeable future. With a crowded division at light heavyweight, and the title on the line in three weeks, the UFC has to find out who the top contender is as soon as possible. This can happen by booking Lyoto Machida against Gustafsson. This fight could very well happen at the UFC on FOX card July, which would give the winner between champ Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen ample time to prepare for the winner of the contender’s fight. Only time will tell.

Cody Ryan
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

MOUSASI VS. LATIFI DELIVERED

The fight just ended, and already there’s a swarm of angry fans commenting on how “disappointing” the UFC on FUEL TV 9's Gegard Mousasi vs. Ilir Latifi headliner was. Let’s take a second and put this bout into perspective to silence these critics. Latifi, making his UFC debut on five days’ notice, managed to cut 27 pounds to face one of the best light heavyweights in the world. He stepped up and saved the event, taking the headline fight in his native Sweden. His opponent, Gegard Mousasi, who was training for the skills of a tall striker, was forced to face the complete opposite in Latifi. The veteran also fought through a potentially serious knee injury on the way to his win. It may not have been flashy or stylish, but I believe Mousasi’s win over Latifi was everything the UFC could wish for.

Timothy Gilbert
Long Island, N.Y.

NOT BUYING WHAT DANA IS SELLING

UFC on FUEL TV 9 has come and passed. Although having its problems in the buildup, it proved to have a few shining moments. My problem with the event wasn’t necessarily with the actual athletes, but more how we were force fed by the company’s president that it was worth it all along. Coming to terms with a shattered shell of our former main event, and following a more action-packed preliminary show on Facebook than the actual main card, UFC President Dana White would have you believing this card was worthy of a PPV buy if you lent your ear long enough. After expressing anger and disdain for the fans who complained about its quality, he seemed offended that one would fear its cancellation. After UFC 151, that thought will never go away as long as you’re basing your entire card on one fight, in this case, a fighter! I love MMA, and the UFC is home to the top athletes in the sport, but Dana, please don’t forget that without the fans, people are fighting in front of empty seats. Your hard-working stars deserve better than that, and your fans are more educated now than ever before. We aren’t going to buy just hype anymore.

CR Hess
Martinsburg, W.V.

MCGREGOR DELIVERS FOR IRISH MMA

Conor McGregor‘s UFC debut at Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 9 was a defining moment for Irish MMA. The week leading up to his long-anticipated step into the octagon was filled with bad blood as McGregor’s opponent, Marcus Brimage, took issue with the Irishman’s fans, who were very vocal in their support for “Notorious.” Come fight time in Stockholm, McGregor, the previous holder of the Cage Warriors’ lightweight and featherweight titles, backed up all of the talk. He put on a technical boxing masterclass in which Brimage was unable to deal with the accuracy of McGregor’s uppercuts. McGregor has never seen the final bell, and that didn’t change on Saturday as it took just 67 seconds for him to knock out “The Ultimate Fighter 14? alumnus. This led to a “Knockout of the Night” bonus and a promising future for Irish MMA’s poster child.

Darragh Murphy
Cork, Ireland

UFC ON FUEL TV 9 WAS THE LITTLE CARD THAT COULD

In the days leading up to the UFC’s second trip to Sweden, MMA boards were awash with experts/crybabies screaming that the free UFC on FUEL TV 9 event would be a dog or should be canceled. (I guess my crystal ball got lost in the mail.) Instead we got one of the best cards of the year – and for cheap. Two potential “Fights of the Night,” wicked KOs, great subs and overall high-quality action. I have paid $55 for a lot less many times. There was a sick undercard and a main-card fights that saw a pedigreed pretender exposed and a last-minute sub channel Chuck Wepner. What a party. Thanks.

John Dannert
Spartanburg, S.C.

ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES, DANA

I was very pleased with UFC on FUEL TV 9 card this weekend. Although most of us wanted to see Alexander Gustafsson in the main event, the matchups were well put together and the action was intense. However, Dana White is at it again, criticizing fans for bad mouthing the event. As a fan, we have the right to be objective and adamant about our views, just like any sport. That’s what makes it fun and brings fans together. And criticize the journalists? It’s the MMA journalists who give the most coverage to the sport, who write the fantastic pieces, who interview guys who wouldn’t get attention elsewhere. As this sport grows, he needs to understand that there will be good and bad that comes along with it, and he has to do what Ilir Latifi did: Roll with the punches!

KJ Johnson
Henderson, Ky.

INVICTA’S LIVE EXPERIENCE IS THE REAL DEAL

I was in attendance at Invicta FC 5 on Friday, and I was so impressed. Shannon Knapp and Janet Martin know how to put on a show. From the moment I walked in, I was aware that this is a professional outfit. This is not a gimmick-laden sideshow. The new venue is great. Ameristar’s in-house beer is good. The fights were fantastic. The fighters were very gracious to the fans. They always had time for a high-five or an autograph, as were the other MMA notables in attendance. (Pat Barry is a nut.) I want to congratulate Shannon and Janet for building a world-class fighting organization. And I also want encourage those who haven’t watched Invicta live yet to do so. The stream is good, but watching it live is better.

Eric Kennedy
Lee’s Summit, Mo.

FEMALE FIGHTERS COULD LEAD TO MMA IN NEW YORK

Some people still see MMA as “human cockfighting.” As technical, respectful and professional as our beloved fighters have evolved to be, some people will always just see two guys slugging it out in a cage. What can two women in a cage do for the sport in terms of acceptance by the mainstream that men cannot? A world of good. Invicta FC provides a glossy product in terms of production, action, and most importantly, a glimpse into the world of female athletes who could eventually break down barriers that men may not be able to. With Invicta and the UFC now giving female fighters the platform they deserve, the walls will come down sooner than later, and women will lead the charge into creating an acceptable image that may eventually help to legalize and sanction MMA in New York, and change the image of cage fighting in general.

“xSilvasavliSx”
Vernonia, Ore.

THE UFC NEEDS Sergio Pettis

There has always been a large amount of hype surrounding Anthony Pettis‘ younger brother, Sergio. “The Phenom” has consistently backed his hype with strong performances, amassing a 6-0 record including his latest victory against Jimmy Jones at RFA 4. Although Sergio is just 19 years old and perhaps living in the shadow of his elder brother, the UFC needs to sign this great prospect quickly. The flyweight division, currently with champ “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson on the mend, is at a major crossroads. Zuffa seem to be more focused on working on its gamble on women’s MMA, leaving the flyweights in some kind of limbo. With no marketable stars and the champ sitting on the fence, it is time for the UFC sign and develop Pettis to give the flyweight division another name that Zuffa can market. And then from a fan’s perspective, we get to see how good “The Phenom” actually is!

Sean Cowley
Hong Kong

DEFENDING Nick Diaz

Much has been said about Nick Diaz. Some people profess their appreciation for him while others condemn him. But no one denies that Diaz is truly a unique and captivating specimen. That’s because no matter if it’s on the mic or in a fight, Diaz is brutally unadulterated. And though his raw openness is invigorating, it also exposes him to some harsh criticism when he does wrong. In spite of all his mistakes, his ruthless honesty should be commended. Diaz has always been fiercely forthcoming in the media, which has left him with the unscrupulous reputation of being a chronic complainer. While his detractors say he should change, I don’t agree. Everyone has the right to his opinions. Some fans have said Diaz’s “act” has grown wearisome, but again, I disagree. I find him refreshing, and I respect the fact that Diaz will always stand up for his beliefs.

Zach Downey
Eagan, Minn.

Johny Hendricks IS THE TRUTH

There’s a name circulating the sport of MMA. If you haven’t been hiding under a rock and call yourself a true fan, the name Johny Hendricks most likely brings a cheesy smile to your face. Like when you got exactly what you wanted Christmas morning. His left hand is nothing nice – devastatingly violent like that of a car crash. Fittingly enough going by the moniker “Bigg Rigg,” Hendricks will be sure to hyper flex your sternocleidomastoids rendering you unconscious if you should dare to play chicken with this man. This guy’s hungry like the bellies of those in food lines during the Great Depression, and he’s been more than willing to do whatever it takes to eat, devouring all but one of which the UFC has put in front of him. All while Georges St-Pierre calls out his own tuneup fights. This man’s the truth. I hope GSP’s got accident insurance.

Jake Brown
Antioch, Calif.

CFA BENEFITING FROM Fallon Fox‘S STORY

Before Fallon Fox came to CFA, the promotion was an upstart that struggled to fill the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Fla. After Fox revealed she was formerly a man, now CFA has been enjoying weeks of publicity from the MMA and mainstream media. It appears an AXS TV deal will be finalized shortly. It makes me wonder if CFA and its head, Jorge De La Noval, knew Fox was transgender before she fought her first fight for them and intentionally told her to withhold that information until after the fight knowing that such news would bring a flood of attention to the company. If true, it’s a genius move, but one that CFA would never admit.

Guillermo Garcia
Miami, Fla.

GSP CAN END THE REIGN OF CAESAR

Anderson Silva is the UFC’s long-reigning champion at 185 pounds, demolishing anyone who has come forth with his speed and technique. Now Silva wants a superfight with George St-Pierre. Everybody will surely think Silva will win this fight. The only real challenge Silva has had is Chael Sonnen. Should we really count out St-Pierre because of Silva’s complete dominance over every opponent he’s had? The answer is no. St-Pierre has great kickboxing, which is something Sonnen doesn’t have. If St-Pierre were to wrestle Sonnen, I’m pretty sure St-Pierre wins nine out of 10 times. Will Silva have a answer for St-Pierre’s technique, or will this be the end of Caesar’s reign?

Scott Spears
Logan, Ohio

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