Each week, ESPN.com MMA writer Brett Okamoto, ESPN Insider senior editor Mike Huang and a guest panelist tackle hot topics that are buzzing in the world of mixed martial arts.
This week, UFC light heavyweight contender Ryan Bader joins the panel.
1. Which fighter would you most like to see come out of retirement and fight in the UFC?
Ryan Bader: One fighter who comes to mind is Fedor Emelianenko. I think a lot of people would love to see a potential fight with him and the best of the UFC heavyweight division, Cain Velasquez. Fedor versus Cain would be amazing!
Brett Okamoto: Brock Lesnar -- and it's not close. Lesnar to me was always more pro wrestler than he was mixed martial artist and felt like a visitor from a different world, if that makes sense. He was so much fun, though. Anybody remember the ammo commercial Lesnar filmed way back when that was one half blowing up prairie dogs and eating jerky and another half talking seriously about diverticulitis? Bring this man back as soon as possible.
Mike Huang: I'd love to see Matt Hughes fight again. He was pivotal in the evolution of mixed martial arts and held his welterweight title with an iron fist. He was really the first dominant UFC champion. I think it would be interesting to see how Hughes would fare with how deep the welterweight division is now.
2. How much of an influence does crowd support/reaction play when it comes to the outcome of a close fight?
Bader: I go out to do my job regardless of outside stimulus. That being said, if you have the crowd on your side and are reacting in a positive way while you are striking and going for things, it can definitely influence the judges. The judges are only human, and with a close fight it could make the difference.
Okamoto: Obviously it matters, as it does in all sports. I haven't done any full scientific experiments on this but any sports fan can tell you about home-field advantage. Judges aren't going to see everything in a fight, that's just an unfortunate truth. Views get obstructed at times, whether it's because of the way fighters are positioned or the referee steps into the line of sight. If the crowd is reacting to basically only one fighter's offense, I can understand, from sitting in those arenas for many fights how that would be hard to completely ignore as a judge. The problem is, unlike in other sports, fighters don't typically face each other in a series-type format, where home-field advantage can be split.
Huang: I certainly saw the effect crowd support had in Boston, where it seemed like all of Ireland had followed Conor McGregor to the United States. Judges feel that energy, too. And in Boston there were several fights that seemed to have been crowd-influenced, notably the Cathal Pendred-Sean Spencer fight. Clearly Spencer had fought better, but Pendred -- a heavy favorite with the Irish-heavy crowd -- earned the victory.
3. Who is the hardest puncher in the light heavyweight division?
Bader: There are a lot at this weight class, but some that come to mind are Quinton Jackson, Glover Teixiera and Rafael Cavalcante.
Okamoto: First name that comes to my mind is Glover Teixeira. In terms of natural, take a free shot at this "rate your power" electronic bar game, my money is on Teixeira. Of course, the hardest hitter doesn't always win in this sport, but if we're singling out that part of the equation, I wouldn't want to take a hit from Teixeira.
Huang: Though our guest here has some heavy hands himself, I really love the bombs Anthony Johnson throws. His beatdown of Bader's next opponent, Phil Davis, at UFC 172 showcased some thunderous hands. There was a different kind of thud and snap in Johnson's punches. It was more ferocity than accuracy or efficiency.
4. Who is the best wrestler in the light heavyweight division?
Bader: There are also some great wrestlers in this division. Daniel Cormier, Phil Davis and myself, I feel are some of the best wrestlers at light heavyweight.
Okamoto: Daniel Cormier. He is the best pure wrestler for one, but on top of that, I believe he has worked it into his MMA game the best as well. Of course, the other big names you would associate with this answer are the other NCAA collegiate standouts like Phil Davis, Ryan Bader and Rashad Evans -- but don't forget about Jon Jones. If we're looking at this question as: Who is the best wrestler in the cage (and not on the wrestling mats), I would actually rank Jones ahead of those other guys.
Huang: I agree with Bader. There are a ton of accomplished wrestlers in the division. I think Bader and Cormier are the two best wrestlers in the division, though Davis is terrific, as well as Rashad Evans. And you can't forget Dan Henderson, who, like Cormier, competed for the Olympic squad.
5. Should Jon Jones take action against the NSAC for releasing his drug test results?
Bader: I think he should just leave it as is right now. He got caught with cocaine in his system [but] was able to fight, retain the title and move on. If I were him, I would let this whole thing die down and move on from here without stirring it back up again.
Okamoto: Only if he has lost his mind. From a public image standpoint, absolutely not. You don't want to drag this out. I would argue that the cocaine test is actually a good thing in terms of Jones' drawing power in his next fight, but that said, engaging in a lengthy legal battle with the commission over it is a bad idea. The NSAC has told me on several occasions it was an oversight by the lab, not the commission, that led to Jones being tested for cocaine. And once the results were in, they became public record, so it's not as if the NSAC leaked this info. They couldn't have hidden it even if they had wanted to. Jones might have a case, he might not. I wouldn't urge him to find out one way or another.
Huang: His title defenses aside, it has been a rough year for Jon Jones. I hope he can leave well enough alone, chalk it up to a bad year and start 2015 off fresh.
