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ASK MMATORCH: Hansen and Penick Answer reader questions on Uriah Hall, Lesnar vs. Barnett, and the most exciting MMA fighters
Jan 21, 2014 - 8:10:19 PM ASK MMATORCH: Hansen and Penick Answer reader questions on Uriah Hall, Lesnar vs. Barnett, and the most exciting MMA fighters

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Welcome to another edition of "Ask MMATorch," where Torch Editor Jamie Penick and Torch Columnist Rich Hansen answer reader questions on the world of MMA. If you have a question you'd like addressed by either of them, make sure to send it in to askmmatorch@gmail.com. The more questions we receive, the more frequently we can run this feature!


Brent S. Writes: Is Uriah Hall still his own worst enemy? Or do you think he can be a force at 185 lbs.?

MMATorch Editor-in-Chief Jamie Penick Answers: I think it's too early to tell whether or not he can move past the issues he had in his first couple of UFC fights, and his win over Chris Leben had signs of both possibilities. He fought smart, and didn't get over-aggressive in his attacks, but he was also a little too hesitant and passive at times in that fight. He has a hard time pulling the trigger, and it might not be something he can fix. There's talent and natural physical ability there, that's unquestionable, but the mental aspect of it is a very key component that he has to figure out in order to make himself a force. I'm not confident it can be done at this stage.


Bobby K. Writes: Would you guys like to see Brock Lesnar return and fight Josh Barnett? I think it would be a pretty cool match up.

MMATorch Columnist Rich Hansen Answers: Sure. Why not? I mean, the idea of a pro wrestler and an occasional pro wrestler who totally immerses himself in that culture would be cool. Now of course Barnett would murder him, but that's another story for another day. What would be more cool than Barnett vs. Lesnar in the (near) future would be Barnett vs. Lesnar is 2009, back when Lesnar was in his MMA and physical prime, and when Barnett was injecting himself into the conversation as best heavyweight in the world (Injecting. I kill me).


Matt U. Writes: Who do you think, regardless on whether they win or lose has been consistently the most exciting fighter to watch in the UFC? My personal opinion I can't past Carlos Condit, I've never seen him in a dull fight since he debuted.

MMATorch Columnist Rich Hansen Answers: In no particular order Carlos Condit, Anthony Pettis, Ben Askren, Urijah Faber, Patricio Freire and Ronda Rousey are my top fighters to watch, from the standpoint of pure excitement. And there are so many other fighters who could be on other peoples' lists, and not just the tip-top fighters in each division; Jon Jones, Vitor Belfort, Marlon Moraes, Anderon Silva, Brandon Thatch, John Lineker, Eddie Alvarez, Alexander Shlemenko, Nick Newell, the list could go on for ever.

And yes, I know you're looking at that list and wondering why the hell Ben Askren is on that list. Look. I'm an Askren guy. This is a sport where the point is to make your opponent incapable of fighting back. More often that is done physically, but when it's done emotionally and spiritually, it's a beautiful thing to watch. Do you remember that way-old Simpson's episode where Lisa broke Ralph Wiggums' heart after she gave Ralph a valentine (It says I Choo Choo Choose You!) and he obsesses over her as a result? When his heart breaks, Bart watches the video of his heart snapping in two over and over again? OK, now watch Askren vs. Koreshkov and you'll see him in a new light forevermore.

MMATorch Editor-in-Chief Jamie Penick Answers: Ok, Rich had this one answered fairly adequately, but I can always take a little time to talk about my favorite fighters to watch. I have four names whose fights I would go out of my way to watch if I was strictly a fight fan and nothing more because of how exciting they are consistently: Jon Jones, Anthony Pettis, Carlos Condit, and Ronda Rousey. As Rich said, the list can continue on and on beyond that with fighters who are fantastic and deserve attention, but those four consistently put on thrilling fights while showcasing new and unique things inside the cage.

No matter what you may think of Jon Jones, he's simply the best fighter in MMA right now, no question. His attacks are varied, unpredictable, he adds unique variations and ways of attacking and defeating fighters, and he's got consistently impressive submissions as well. Anthony Pettis is a fighter in that vein as well, constantly offering up new ways to approach things in the game and showcasing himself as one of the single-most exciting fighters when he's in the cage. Carlos Condit can be violence incarnate, and he's excellent on the ground; he's got his holes, sure, but he's also better than 98% of the fighters at 170 lbs. And Ronda Rousey is just fascinating to watch time in and time out. You know what she's going to do, and so do her opponents, but they can't stop it, and it's incredible to see in the cage.