Here at URDirt.com we had a minute to catch up with "The Fight Professor" Stephen Quadros and got to ask him some questions so we could share with our fans.
You are now apart of EliteXC they have made the big move to air MMA on CBS now do they have any other big future plans you might be able to tell us about?
As far as big future plans I don't know. Nowadays, since I have purposely stepped away from the black hole race for day-to-day "news", I only want to know things AFTER they are confirmed and common knowledge. I'm not real big on "rumors," hahaha.
The next event I will commentate on is for ShoXC, which is kind of like the Bushido system for EliteXC. That will be on Friday, August 15th at the Table Mountain Casino in Friant, CA and it will air live on Showtime. The main event is a light heavyweight rematch between Poai Suganuma, who trains with BJ Penn, and Jared Hamman. The first time they fought (ShoXC, April 5, 2008) Hamman was coming in undefeated and had torn up everybody he had previously stepped in with. Suganuma subsequently knocked Hamman out in 15 seconds with a flying knee in the first round. But there was some controversy about the stoppage thus; the rematch. It's going to be good!
You are good friends with Quinton Rampage Jackson and we all know he is dealing with some problems in his personal life. Have you gotten the chance to talk to him at all?
I spoke with his wife the day after all the drama with the arrest and the chase, but I haven't had a chance to speak with him directly...yet. This whole thing makes me very sad. Quinton knows that I am here for him and unlike so many of his "new friends", I don't have an agenda. He's a great guy and a dear friend. I want more than anything for him to be happy. I really look forward to talking to him.
What were your thoughts of the UFC and Affliction shows last weekend?
As far as big future plans I don't know. Nowadays, since I have purposely stepped away from the black hole race for day-to-day "news", I only want to know things AFTER they are confirmed and common knowledge. I'm not real big on "rumors," hahaha.
The next event I will commentate on is for ShoXC, which is kind of like the Bushido system for EliteXC. That will be on Friday, August 15th at the Table Mountain Casino in Friant, CA and it will air live on Showtime. The main event is a light heavyweight rematch between Poai Suganuma, who trains with BJ Penn, and Jared Hamman. The first time they fought (ShoXC, April 5, 2008) Hamman was coming in undefeated and had torn up everybody he had previously stepped in with. Suganuma subsequently knocked Hamman out in 15 seconds with a flying knee in the first round. But there was some controversy about the stoppage thus; the rematch. It's going to be good!
You are good friends with Quinton Rampage Jackson and we all know he is dealing with some problems in his personal life. Have you gotten the chance to talk to him at all?
I spoke with his wife the day after all the drama with the arrest and the chase, but I haven't had a chance to speak with him directly...yet. This whole thing makes me very sad. Quinton knows that I am here for him and unlike so many of his "new friends", I don't have an agenda. He's a great guy and a dear friend. I want more than anything for him to be happy. I really look forward to talking to him.
What were your thoughts of the UFC and Affliction shows last weekend?
Fedor Emelianenko versus Tim Sylvia was the most interesting and exciting fight for me from this past Saturday. All questions were answered...again. The way it transpired was freakin' brilliant. Fedor never fights the same way twice. His execution is pure genius. And Tim is a solid contender with some big wins under his (sic) belt.
I was also impressed with CB Dolloway's win over Jesse Taylor in the UFC. They really put on a show, with lots of solid technique and a really fast pace. Anderson Silva is one of my favorite fighters but his quick destruction of James Irvin, who, although he is a dangerous striker, isn't a top ten fighter (like Tim Sylvia), didn't tell us much as far as Silva's chances to rise to the top at light heavyweight.
What was the best experience you ever witnessed while working in Japan for Pride FC?
Oh, there are so many. I saw the rise and peak of Fedor Emelianenko, Quinton Jackson, Wanderlei Silva, Kazushi Sakuraba, Rodrigo Nogueira, Anderson Silva, Igor Vovchanchyn and MANY more. Fight wise here are a few great memories: 1) Sakuraba stopping Royce Gracie after 90 MINUTES in front of a packed house at the Tokyo Dome in May 2000. THAT was the most intense crowd reaction I have ever witnessed. Sakuraba then went on to face Igor Vovchanchyn, in the same night and almost beat him! 2) in March 2003 Fedor jumping right into the guard of Rodrigo Nogueira (a strategy most experts thought would be suicide) and smashing his way to the Pride title. It was like Ali/Frazier to me, and 3) Quinton Jackson knocking out Kevin Randleman and then challenging the champion Wanderlei and almost getting into a brawl with Silva in the center of the ring (Note: after Quinton left the ring and was walking back to his dressing room, Wanderlei grabbed the ring microphone and started yelling "Come on! COME ON!" Quinton tried to double back but his handlers restrained him. It was raw and crazy!
Who do you think is the top pound for pound fighter in the world? Fedor or Anderson Silva?
The top contenders for that fantasy description are without question Fedor Emelianenko, Anderson Silva, BJ Penn and Georges St. Pierre. But to me Emelianenko is the greatest fighter I have ever seen, so I rank him #1.
Who do you think is the fighter to watch in EliteXC?
KJ Noons. I find it uncanny how more people aren't talking about him after he took out Nick Diaz and Yves Edwards, both in the first round. Welterweight Jake Shields and heavyweight Antonio Silva are two other super fighters who are headed for big things.
Thanks for the interview Alberto!
Stephen Quadros"The Fight Professor"http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vU3RlcGhlblF1YWRyb3MuY29thttp://myspace.%20com/StephenQuadros
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