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Pro Opinion

Who wins Khabib vs Ferguson; or Ortiz vs Jones!; spiritual moments; Conor McGregor’s 2020 and dancing on TV, yes or no from our top four pros.

Honorio Banario

Credentials

Former ONE FC featherweight champion (14-10)

TJ Jones

Credentials

Former Bellator heavyweight and fan favourite

Phil De Fries

Credentials

English heavyweight, currently KSW champion

Max Griffin

Credentials

Current UFC welterweight, turned pro in 2009. (15-7)

It appears that Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson are finally going to lock horns at UFC 249 in April. How do you see the fight playing out?sgittins2020-01-21T10:27:08+00:00

It appears that Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson are finally going to lock horns at UFC 249 in April. How do you see the fight playing out?

Honorio: That’s a tough call. Ferguson is dangerous on his back and feet but I’m going to put my money on Khabib.

TJ: Fights that are this hyped, I try not to get too worked up over. They always seem to be a dud. My prediction, man, such a hard one to choose, Tony Ferguson via split decision.

Phil: I think it’s a cursed fight and it will fall through again. If it does happen though, I think Khabib will grind him out.

Max: Man, Khabib is undefeated and Tony has won a million straight. I think it’s going all the way to a split decision… and Tony takes it.

MMA all-time great Tito Ortiz recently said that he can still beat Jon Jones. What are your thoughts on Tito’s comments?sgittins2020-01-21T10:30:26+00:00

MMA all-time great Tito Ortiz recently said that he can still beat Jon Jones. What are your thoughts on Tito’s comments?

Honorio: Tito Ortiz is just being delusional. There is no way he can defeat Jon Jones.

TJ: Tito’s silly. That’s just crazy.

Phil: Tito is working the press there, I think. He would be crazy to think he could… maybe he is crazy though.

Max: He’s trippin’. That’s all I can say!

MMA veteran Nate Marquardt recently said that God spoke to him and that was a motivation for his return to competition. Have you had similar spiritual moments?sgittins2020-01-21T10:41:38+00:00

MMA veteran Nate Marquardt recently said that God spoke to him and that was a motivation for his return to competition. Have you had similar spiritual moments?

Honorio: I never heard that before! I would say I don’t have any spiritual moments like Marquardt.

TJ: When I was training for my fight against Jake Hager, I’d just finished running and a crazy chill took over. I had a moment of complete confidence. I started screaming and beating my chest. It was a cool moment. Spiritual? Not sure, but i’ll never forget it.

Phil: I often take some time for spiritual exercises, especially meditation and cold water swims. I don’t believe in God but there is definitely something at work out there.

Max: I do, actually. 13 years ago I was at Reggae on the River Festival in Humboldt County. We were hanging out at the end of the night and I heard a message in my head. “You need to start fighting”. The rest was history.

Conor McGregor recently said that he plans on fighting multiple times in 2020. Do you think there’s any chance of that happening?sgittins2020-01-21T10:45:37+00:00

Conor McGregor recently said that he plans on fighting multiple times in 2020. Do you think there’s any chance of that happening?

Honorio: It’s really hard to tell anymore. I think Conor lost his hunger in the fighting game. He is gonna get smashed by young and hungrier fighters. I don’t think he can fight multiple times next year.

TJ: Yes. It’s something I hope happens. I’m a big McGregor fan. it’s always a good show and pre-fight fun when McGregor is on the card.

Phil: Who knows with that guy? He may end up in jail before it’s all said and done.

Max: Multiple is more than one right? (Laughs) So yeah. Once in January then one later in the year.

Junior dos Santos recently competed on Dancing with the Stars Brazil. Is there any chance we might see you on the dance floor on national TV?sgittins2020-01-21T10:48:10+00:00