If things get worse: 7 fighters by my side during the apocalypse

MMA Junkie’s Dan Tom breaks down the list of the seven fighters he’d want by his side during the apocalypse. Who made the cut?

With the worldwide COVID-19 epidemic in full effect, fighters and fight fans alike find themselves in the same boat as everyone else when it comes to finding their next source of entertainment and income.

Sports across the globe have pretty much come to a halt, and though MMA may be a sport that can return to business faster than others, the fact still remains that our new realities currently involve factors like social distancing and self quarantines.

Now, I don’t want to make light of the pandemic at hand or overly sensationalize the current climate, since I’m sure we’ll all come through this as better human beings. However, in case things get worse – hypothetically – I thought it would be a fun exercise to construct a fantasy team of seven fighters who you’d want by your side in the event of an all-out apocalypse.

Here’s mine, and feel free to share yours in the comments section below:

No. 7: Frank Mir

Strengths: Weaponry, looks intimidating, probably already ready for the apocalypse

Summary: I believe it was Joe Rogan who said that if [autotag]Frank Mir[/autotag] fell down a flight of stairs it would set off a firework show of gunshots. Regardless if there’s any truth to that or not, anyone who carries enough weapons on the regular that they accidentally smuggle ammunition into another country can be on my apocalypse team any day.

Former UFC heavyweight champ credentials aside, Mir – who looms large at 6-foot-3 – just looks like a guy you wouldn’t want to mess with. Add in his tactical skills and a large stockpile of guns, and that’s the person I’d want guarding my resources (assuming he lets you back in the house after your supply run).

Frank Mir tactical firearm training:

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Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa in the works for UFC Oklahoma City

Bryce Mitchell and Charles Rosa are close to getting what they asked for.

[autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag] and [autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag] are close to getting what they asked for.

The UFC is working on adding a bout between the two featherweight fighters to UFC Oklahoma City. While the fight is not finalized quite yet, MMA Junkie confirmed the targeted bout with two people with knowledge of the situation on Wednesday. Those people requested anonymity because they are not publicly authorized to discuss such matters.

The targeted bout was first reported by BJPenn.com.

UFC Oklahoma City takes place May 2 at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The event does not have an official numerical designation, though it is expected to air on ESPN or stream on ESPN+.

Following their respective submission wins in the final months of 2019, Mitchell (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and Rosa (12-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) went back-and-forth on social media in early February. The conversation began with Rosa challenging Mitchell, who immediately voiced his interest in the matchup.

Ever-growing in popularity, Mitchell pulled off the second twister submission in UFC history against Matt Sayles in December. A few weeks prior, Rosa defeated Manny Bermudez by first-round armbar in October. The fight was Rosa’s first since April 2017.

The latest UFC Oklahoma City lineup now includes:

  • Jack Hermansson vs. Chris Weidman
  • Sarah Alpar vs. Duda Santana
  • Claudia Gadelha vs. Marina Rodriguez
  • Andrei Arlovski vs. Philipe Lins
  • Ed Herman vs. Da Un Jung
  • Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa

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Boston vs. Arkansas? Charles Rosa and Bryce Mitchell fancy early summer fight

Charles Rosa and Bryce Mitchell are on the same page about fighting each other.

[autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag] wants to put his toughness to the test against one of the most exciting rising stars of the UFC featherweight division.

Rosa called out [autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag], who immediately responded, and it appears that the two have mutually agreed to throw down.

Undefeated Mitchell (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is coming off the biggest win of his career, scoring only the second twister submission in UFC history against Matt Sayles at UFC on ESPN 7. The finish was MMA Junkie’s “Submission of the Year,” and “ThugNasty’s” passionate and outspoken demeanor has made the Arkansas native a firm favorite with fight fans.

Rosa (12-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) came back impressively from a two-year layoff when he submitted Manny Bermudez in just one round at UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston. The finish earned him his fourth “Performance of the Night” bonus in six UFC fights.

But, as Mitchell previously mentioned, he’s not looking to return before May, and Rosa happens to be targeting a return around the same time.

If the stars align, the UFC matchmakers could have a ready-made “Fight of the Night” contender to plug into an early summer fight card.

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