Clay Guida's Blogs
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To Friend or Not to Friend: Social Media’s Effect on MMA Judging
By: Jordan Breen
It's been a few days since poor Hatsu Hioki got robbed blind in Chicago against local favorite Clay Guida. Certainly, much was made on Saturday night about judge Gabriel Sabaitis' 30-27 scorecard for Guida. Hometown cooking at its finest? You don't know the half of it.
First, Bleacher Report's Matt Molgaard uncovered that Mr. Sabaitis, an Illinois local, is Facebook friends with Guida. No big deal in this age of social media networking blah blah, right? Well, it at least shows that Sabaitis doesn't understand the appearance of impropriety.
Following that article, Sabaitis took to the infamous Underground to try to defend himself. Mixedmartialarts.com and UG founder Kirik Jenness collected the judge's attempted self-defense over here.
Frankly, the response is staggering and embarrassing. Sabaitis' response reads like a well-intended newjack fan defending his personal scorecard on an MMA forum. He equivocates constantly ("But this fight was so close it could've been 29-28 Hioki, no doubt. I respect everyone who believes Hioki won!"), blames the "MMA judging criteria" and demonstrates he doesn't have a basic grasp on the system itself.
"I felt his aggression and TD out weighed (barely) Hioki's effective striking in the 1st," Sabaitis wrote. Nevermind stuff like "out weighted," he already conceded Hioki's striking was effective. Here is a link to the bizarre, backwoods version of MMA judging that the Illinois commission abides by. The first criterion? "Clean blows, not otherwise prohibited by this Part, in proportion to their damaging effects." In the first round, Hioki landed 26 of 56 significant strikes to Guida's 16 of 63 by FightMetric count. In total strikes, he outlanded Guida 31 to 16. Most galling is the fact that Guida landed virtually no clean, hard strikes in top position. This is why the word "effective" should never be removed from "aggression" in any MMA scoring paradigm, not that it would've actually helped poor Hatsu Hioki it would seem.
This dilemma is not unique to Sabaitis or the state of Illinois, of course. It's mostly just another disappointing drop in the bucket. However, since there is a natural tendency for these agencies to stick together and do their best to deflect flak, trying to turn the light on their shortcomings is the best I can offer. That and to stay off of Facebook. Read more -
Thursday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Thursday
3:00 a.m. ET Sportsnet Pacific: UFC Countdown
UFC 156 Countdown Leading up to UFC 156: Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar with in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
3:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Classics Vol. 10
A historic collection of matchups.
3:30 a.m. ET Sportsnet West: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
4:00 a.m. ET Sportsnet West: UFC Countdown
UFC 156 Countdown Leading up to UFC 156: Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar with in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
4:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 9
The best collection of knock outs ever caught on camera and featuring some of today's biggest stars in MMA.
4:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 1: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen - Enter the Octagon Twenty-eight middleweights arrive in Las Vegas for a shot at a UFC contract; coaches Chael Sonnen and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones evaluate the winners of 14 elimination fights.
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Roundtable
Welterweights II Jay Glazer sits down and gets personal with the UFC's top welterweight fighters.
6:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Vitor Belfort gained a 2nd one in the Blackzilians; Urijah Faber celebrates Christmas; Joe Rogan riffs on the upcoming season; Anthony Pettis watches Octagonside.
7:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Behind the scenes at Alistair Overeem's photo shoot; 24 year old Erik Koch; Rashad Evans defines the warrior code; Anthony Pettis shows off his signatures moves.
7:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Michael McDonald celebrates his birthday; Sacramento's Team Alpha Male; Dan Henderson recounts his career; UFC's finest describe the feeling of a knockout
8:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC 143: Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit Prelims
The next generation of UFC stars in a night of unforgettable action.
4:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Preview of all the official news, views, and action for UFC 156: Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar.
4:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Michael McDonald celebrates his birthday; Sacramento's Team Alpha Male; Dan Henderson recounts his career; UFC's finest describe the feeling of a knockout
5:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
UFC 145: Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans
8:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Preview of all the official news, views, and action for UFC 156: Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar.
8:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Michael McDonald celebrates his birthday; Sacramento's Team Alpha Male; Dan Henderson recounts his career; UFC's finest describe the feeling of a knockout
9:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
The Brazilian Top Team The best of the greatest submission team in Pride.
10:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Unleashed
Lyoto Machida vs. Quinton Jackson; Joe Stevenson vs. Mac Danzig; Takanori Gomi vs. Clay Guida.
10:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator MMA Live
EPISODE: 3 Lightweight Tournament quarterfinals: Guillaume DeLorenzi vs. Patricky Freire; Lloyd Woodard vs. Dave Rickels; Thiago Michel vs. Alexander Sarnavskiy; Will Brooks vs. Ricardo Tirloni. From Mount Pleasant, Mich.
11:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 2: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Ambush Fourteen middleweights move into the house and training begins; a fighter gets emotional after his team shows serious doubts about his readiness; two fighters face off in the first preliminary fight.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet East: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
12:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Countdown
Leading up to UFC 156: Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar with in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
12:00 a.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator MMA Live
EPISODE: 3 Lightweight Tournament quarterfinals: Guillaume DeLorenzi vs. Patricky Freire; Lloyd Woodard vs. David Rickels; Thiago Michel vs. Alexander Sarnavskiy; Will Brooks vs. Ricardo Tirloni. From Mount Pleasant, Mich. Read more -
Tim Marchman Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by Deadspin fight columnist and The Classical.org co-founder Tim Marchman.
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With several notable lightweight-to-featherweight storylines present at the UFC on Fox 6 and the Jose Aldo-Frankie Edgar headliner on deck for UFC 156, Breen and Marchman analyze the curious relationship between the two divisions. The pair discuss the continuing exodus from 155 to 145 pounds, what the current contendership status of those former lightweights tell us about the divisions, whether or not elite featherweights could stack up with the best at 155 and what Aldo-Edgar means for both divisions.
The two also contemplate whether the seemingly unique, kissing cousins-type relationship between the divisions could improve the potential for unique fights between fighters from other weight classes, the overwhelming importance of stylistic matchups in these categories and the emergence of a new kind of main eventer for the UFC product.
Grab your credential and get a seat in “Press Row.” -
Saturday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Saturday
3:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Preview all the official news, views, and action for FOX 6: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson.
3:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Overeem; Koch; Evans; Pettis Behind the scenes at Alistair Overeem's photo shoot; 24 year old Erik Koch; Rashad Evans defines the warrior code; Anthony Pettis shows off his signatures moves.
3:30 a.m. ET Sportsnet Pacific: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen - Enter the Octagon Twenty-eight middleweights arrive in Las Vegas for a shot at a UFC contract; coaches Chael Sonnen and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones evaluate the winners of 14 elimination fights.
3:30 a.m. ET Sportsnet West: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen - Enter the Octagon Twenty-eight middleweights arrive in Las Vegas for a shot at a UFC contract; coaches Chael Sonnen and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones evaluate the winners of 14 elimination fights.
4:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: Inside MMA
EPISODE: 276 Preview of the UFC and Lion Fight Muay Thai events; interviews with Dana White and Quinton Jackson.
5:00 a.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Wired
Joe Rogan hosts this UFC highlight show featuring some of the best bouts from years past.
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC on FX 7: Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping
Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping; C.B. Dollaway vs. Daniel Sarafian; Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ben Rothwell; Thiago Tavares vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov. From Sao Paulo, Brazil.
8:00 a.m. ET fuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Belfort the Blackzilian; Faber Family Holiday; TUF17 Riff Vitor Belfort gained a 2nd one in the Blackzilians; Urijah Faber celebrates Christmas; Joe Rogan riffs on the upcoming season; Anthony Pettis watches Octagonside.
8:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Overeem; Koch; Evans; Pettis Behind the scenes at Alistair Overeem's photo shoot; 24 year old Erik Koch; Rashad Evans defines the warrior code; Anthony Pettis shows off his signatures moves.
9:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC on FOX 6: Road to the Octagon
UFC's main event fighters train for their upcoming bout inside the Octagon on January 26th.
12:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Best of 2012: The Year in Review
Relive the thrilling action of the best bouts, the greatest knockouts and submissions.
3:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC on FOX 6: Road to the Octagon
UFC's main event fighters train for their upcoming bout inside the Octagon on January 26th.
4:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson Weigh-in
From United Center in Chicago.
5:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Preliminary Fights: UFC Live Prelims
Pascal Krauss vs. Mike Stumpf; Shawn Jordan vs. Mike Russow; Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Ryan Bader; Josh Janousek vs. Michael Kuiper; Hatsu Hioki vs. Clay Guida; Matt Wiman vs. T.J. Grant. From Chicago.
5:00 p.m. ET UFC: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson Preliminaries
Pascal Krauss vs. Mike Stumpf; Shawn Jordan vs. Mike Russow; Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Ryan Bader; Josh Janousek vs. Michael Kuiper; Hatsu Hioki vs. Clay Guida; Matt Wiman vs. TJ Grant. From Chicago.
8:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Live Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson
10:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Post-Fight Show
UFC: Postfight show for FOX 6: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson, featuring Jay Glazer and top MMA analysts.
11:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Post-Fight Show
Postfight show for FOX 6: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson, featuring Jay Glazer and top MMA analysts. Read more -
Clay Guida Lived Without Running Water, Heat During Most Recent Camp
By: Tristen Critchfield
Any trainer, coach or mixed martial artist worth his salt will tell you that fight camps are all about being uncomfortable. Whether it’s cutting weight, enduring grueling practices or battling through the daily grind of bumps and bruises, preparing for caged combat against another human being is no easy task.
After years of competing at lightweight, Clay Guida spent his most recent camp at Jackson’s MMA perfecting the cut to 145 pounds for his featherweight debut at UFC on FoX 6. If that wasn’t difficult enough, “The Carpenter” was also forced to endure several weeks of his stint in New Mexico without hot water at his temporary RV residence, and during one especially cold spell in the Southwest, he didn’t have any water at all.
At the time, Guida was just a few weeks away from his showdown with former Shooto champion Hatsu Hioki. Instead of becoming frustrated, the Chicago native was able to turn a negative into a positive.
“[It was tough] having a lack sources at the RV. I got no running water over there -- the pipes freeze up,” Guida said. “I’ve been living off gallons of water... it’s been super cold. I haven’t had hot water the whole time. It’s whatever. I just do dishes, wash my hands and brush my teeth in cold water, no big deal. This past week [approximately two weeks before UFC on Fox 6], I’ve been living out of gallons [of water].
“I have no heat, I’ve been using space heaters because the liquid propane that it runs off is empty I don’t feel like breaking the RV down to go fill up the propane tank for my camp,” he continued. “To me, dealing with the elements makes me that much hungrier and that much more determined. You’ve got to dig deeper and find something that motivates you.”
Guida’s bout with Hioki will air on the FX network as part of the UFC on Fox 6 prelims.
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Thursday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Thursday
3:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Classics Vol. 9
A historic collection of matchups.
4:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Preview all the official news, views, and action for FOX 6: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson.
4:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 8
The best collection of knock outs ever caught on camera and featuring some of today's biggest stars in MMA.
4:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
EPISODE: 100
5:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Unleashed
Featuring Chris Leben vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama; B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes; George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon.
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Best of 2012: The Year in Review
Relive the thrilling action of the best bouts, the greatest knockouts and submissions.
9:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida Prelims
Longtime lightweight rivals Spencer Fisher and Sam Stout, and featherweights Ross Pearson and Cub Swanson.
3:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC's Road to the Octagon
UFC's main event fighters train for their upcoming bout inside the Octagon.
4:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Preview all the official news, views, and action for FOX 6: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson.
4:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
EPISODE: 100
5:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
UFC 79: St-Pierre vs. Hughes Georges St. Pierre vs Matt Hughes; Chuck Liddell vs Wanderlei Silva..
8:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Preview all the official news, views, and action for FOX 6: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson.
8:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
EPISODE: 100
9:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Unleashed
Featuring Chris Leben vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama; B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes; George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon.
9:00 p.m. ET The Score: The Score Fighting Series
The Score Fighting Series (SFS) features fighters from North America and beyond with a focus on exciting match-ups and developing the next generation of great fighters. Tune in for non-stop action from events across the country.
10:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Unleashed
Benson Henderson vs. Clay Guida from UFC on FOX; Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard from UFC 136.
10:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator MMA Live
Season 1 Episode 2: EPISODE: 2 Ben Askren defends his Welterweight World Championship title against Karl Amoussou; Muhammed Lawal vs. Przemyslaw Mysiala, light heavyweight quarterfinal match . From Thackerville, Okla.
11:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 1: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen - Enter the OctagonTwenty-eight middleweights arrive in Las Vegas for a shot at a UFC contract; coaches Chael Sonnen and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones evaluate the winners of 14 elimination fights.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet East: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
12:00 a.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator MMA Live
Season 1 Episode 2: EPISODE: 2 Ben Askren defends his Welterweight World Championship title against Karl Amoussou; Muhammed Lawal vs. Przemyslaw Mysiala, light heavyweight quarterfinal match . From Thackerville, Okla. Read more -
Podcast: Greg Jackson
By: Sherdog.com Staff
"Beatdown" returned to The Sherdog Radio Network Monday as hosts TJ De Santis and Jeff Sherwood were joined by MMA trainer Greg Jackson.
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Greg Jackson is always busy when it comes to cornering his fighters and the start of 2013 is no exception. Today on the program Jackson joined TJ and Jeff to talk about his fighters on the UFC on Fox 6 card. Jackson broke down the title fight between his student John Dodson and champion Demetrious Johnson, the Jackson trained Donald Cerrone against Anthony Pettis, and the always intense Clay Guida who faces Hatsu Hioki.
De Santis and Sherwood also look to settle the score on if mixed martial arts is a sport or entertainment.
Click here to check out the podcast on iTunes. -
Saturday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Saturday
3:00 a.m. ET AXS: AXS TV Fights It's Showtime 60
From Sao Paulo, Brazil.
4:00 a.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Wired
Joe Rogan hosts this UFC highlight show featuring some of the best bouts from years past.
5:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Top 50 UFC Moments in 2012 Part 1 Part one of The Top 50 Moments of 2012. From one-punch knockouts to amazing submissions to come-from-behind victories, UFC TONIGHT's Kenny Florian takes us through moments 50-26 in this week's special.
5:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Flashback Seattle; Heavyweights Collide Experience UFC on FOX 5 from a new perspective; The comeback of Cain Velasquez; Randy Couture analyzes the Junior dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez championship fight.
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida Prelims
Longtime lightweight rivals Spencer Fisher and Sam Stout, and featherweights Ross Pearson and Cub Swanson.
9:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Gustafsson; Lauzon; Rogan; Arianny Alexander Gustafsson's San Diego training; Joe Lauzon's signature moves; Arianny Celeste poses.
9:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Flashback Seattle; Heavyweights Collide Experience UFC on FOX 5 from a new perspective; The comeback of Cain Velasquez; Randy Couture analyzes the Junior dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez championship fight.
12:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: X-Fighters 2011 Highlights
Spain
3:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Unleashed
Rory MacDonald vs. Mike Pyle; Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim; Brendan Schaub vs Mirko Cro Cop; Rashad Evans vs Tito Ortiz.
4:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Flashback Seattle; Heavyweights Collide Experience UFC on FOX 5 from a new perspective; The comeback of Cain Velasquez; Randy Couture analyzes the Junior dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez championship fight.
4:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Top 50 UFC Moments in 2012 Part 1 Part one of The Top 50 Moments of 2012. From one-punch knockouts to amazing submissions to come-from-behind victories, UFC TONIGHT's Kenny Florian takes us through moments 50-26 in this week's special.
6:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Champion's Roundtable With Jay Glazer
Jay Glazer chats all things UFC.
7:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Benson Henderson vs. Nate Diaz
Benson Henderson vs. Nate Diaz; Alexander Gustafsson vs. Mauricio Rua; Rory MacDonald vs. BJ Penn; Matt Brown vs. Mike Swick. From Seattle.
8:00 p.m. ET The Score: Bellator Fight Night
Bellator Fighting Championships is the world’s fastest growing MMA organization. “Bellator” is Latin for warrior and was created by sports marketing visionary Bjorn Rebney. The core belief of the organization is that title shots must be earned, not given. Fighters compete in single-elimination tournaments for a shot at the Bellator title and a $100,000 prize.
9:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
UFC Rio: Jose Aldo defends his Featherweight title against undefeated Chad Mendes.
12:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Presents Benson Henderson: Rising Up
Benson Henderson's mother, brother, girlfriend, coach and Benson, himself, reveal the motivations and desires that drive him. Read more -
Coach: Clay Guida Can Reinvent Himself at 145 Pounds
By: Sherdog.com Staff
Coach Mike Winkeljohn, on “Rewind,” discussing Clay Guida’s drop to 145 pounds:
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“I think it changes things for Clay. Clay’s been, since he’s come [to Jackson’s MMA], he’s started to hurt people more and more in his fights with his standup. ... I think Clay dropping down to 145 will be faster than before and he’s always been known for his endurance and just grinding guys. Clay can go back to that along with his new and improved striking. ... I think it’s always been in the conversation. We’ve always talked about it, but he was having such great success at 155. There was no reason to change it. I think he wants a shot at the title and staying at 155, it’s going to be a long road back. There’s just only so many fights. There’s only so many people between him and getting back to the top, that he can reinvent himself at 145 and I think we can get closer to that 145-pound title real quick.” -
Cub Swanson Welcomes Teammate Clay Guida to Featherweight Class
By: Sherdog.com Staff
Cub Swanson, on “Beatdown,” discussing Clay Guida, who is joining him in the 145-pound division: “I love it. I think that’s a great move for him. I felt like he was an undersized [lightweight]. We train side by side together, and many times when we fought on the same card I’m heavier than him. He’s just a hardworking dude, and I’m happy that he’s moving to 145. I think it will be good for him. I definitely don’t feel threatened or anything by that. We’re all friends, and I just want the best for him. ... I definitely don’t want to fight any of my teammates, but if it were in good fun and it weren’t a big deal, I think it’d be fun. ... I spar Diego Brandao, Clay Guida, Leonard Garcia. Bart Palaszewski just came over. I’m sparring these guys on a regular basis. I think people would pay to see us spar. If it wasn’t in a situation where one of us was going to get cut or something, then I think it would be fun, but I’m definitely not trying to get in anyone’s way. ... The only way I would ever fight a teammate is if we train together the whole time. ... That’s the only way I would do it because when you start splitting the camps, that just gets people -- you let people talk and things happen like that. When if you’re right there in the gym, side by side, throwing down every day, preparing for what’s going to happen for everybody else, that’s the only way I would do it.”
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