Rich Twilliing is the former Assistant Editor of prowrestling.net and has trained in both boxing and mixed martial arts. The following is our conversation regard the current state of MMA between him and myself regarding the recent events in MMA.

Mark Gessner: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis in Philly is the next main event for the UFC

Rich Twilling: Good to see Rashad finally fighting again.

Gessner: Yeah really, its only been like a two year layoff. While i understand I've never actually fought before professionally, how do you not have rust after an eighteen month layoff?

Twilling: From my experience, I can tell you he will spar like a mother and even risk getting hurt up until the morning of the fight (Ken Shamrock!), but nothing equals actual fight speed.

Gessner: You think Phil Davis is a more-or-less tomato-can despite his All-American wrestling ability mixed with his jiu jitsu finishes?

Twilling: I wouldn't go that far, but he is no Rashad Evans. Funny, I called Big Country a "glorified tomato can" and the guys in the forum took me to task for it. I'm cool with that thought now.

Gessner: Nelson was the best at the time on TUF: Heavyweights. I honestly think Mitrione probably, and Schaub definitely would beat him today.

Twilling: I thought he was ass then too.

Gessner: Yeah seriously, and since then he had JDS jab him to death and a fat Frank Mir out fight him. Maybe not "fat" Frank Mir, but way too thick at 260, drop down to 240 where you've had your only success.

Twilling: Mir killed him, and Mir is at least two years past his prime.

Gessner: Mir lucked out against Brock once; since had his ass kick by Brock, and then had a horrifically boring fight against Cro Cop. Completely agree.

I'd say he was better doing color for WEC but Stephan Bonnar has since proven that he's better at that too.

Twilling: Mir would be a good professional wrestler.

Gessner: Very true, he's good at promos and has the "look." But, he does not have the talent to beat anyone in the top 5 in the heavyweight division... unless its by fluke like UFC 81 vs. Brock

Twilling: That fight doesn't even count anymore. Like you said, he does not have the talent. Brock is raw athleticism and strength; good enough to get him to the top of the division. Cain and even Junior are better well rounded fighters, but Brock will be in the conversation for awhile.

Assuming he is healthy.

Gessner: Yeah, true. It'll be interesting to see how Brock comes back from his second stint of diverticulosis. Carwin rocked him in the 1st round of their fight at UFC 116 and Cain killied him at UFC 121. I was really looking forward to him vs. JDS at UFC 131 to see how he responds to strong punches

I thought Brock's wrestling would have been too much for JDS to handle and ground'n'pound would have won him the fight

Twilling: I think Junior would have beaten him in similar fashion to Cain, but not as dominate. Cain will beat Junior by the end of round two.

Gessner: Yeah, I really don't see JDS standing a chance with Cain aside from a lucky punch like Tito last weekends

Twilling: I think I could beat Tito right now. Haha.

Gessner: It seriously was a lucky right hook that dropped Bader. Bader rocked him prior with a straight right that rocked Tito, who was able to somehow shake it off

Twilling: I saw it. I like Tito but he is now just a big name in an undercard bout.

: A big name on an undercard making $400 grand a fight plus gate and buys lol

Twilling: Is he really? UFC guys have always been "underpaid."

Gessner: Yeah, aside from Wanderlei making $200 grand, he made more than the entire main card combined.

Twilling: Surprised Dana is putting up with that since he isn't even promoting him.

Gessner: That's why it was his retirement fight if he lost. Not sure how many fights Ortiz has on his contract, but White was assuming that would be his last pay day to the Ortiz/Jameson residence.

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