Daniel Cormier (right)

By Joshua Molina

The next time some dope in New York calls MMA barbaric, someone should point him to UFC fighter Daniel Cormier’s requests for his upcoming fight with Roy Nelson.

Cormier said UFC Fight Club Q&A session: “The thing about the beard is it doesn’t seem to be well-kept, so I’m going to request that there’s a rubber band in it and that it comes straight down. Also, I’m going to ask that they put his hair in two plaits off to the side. Part it down the middle, plait it on the sides. I don’t want it all in my face.”

Maybe he should require Nelson to clip his toe nails too? If you sign on to fight Nelson, expect to get MMA’s version of Capt. Lou Albano, not George Michael.

While Nelson’s beard may present some inconveniences, it won’t make a difference in the fight one way or the other. Cormier needs to worry about Nelson’s thunderous hands, not how well-groomed he is. And to those who believe MMA is too barbaric, they should think again. Barbarians don’t usually ask their opponents to groom their beards.

. . . Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya both recently admitted to problems with alcoholism. These two great fighters enjoyed massive success in the ring, but continue to struggle privately.

Getting hammered in the head for years probably doesn’t help with either’s addiction problem either. Let’s hope they can gain control of their lives before it’s too late.

. . . Speaking of sad endings, Tommy Morrison died of AIDS-related complications on Sunday. Morrison once beat George Foreman by decision to win the WBO heavyweight championship. Morrison had a lot of promise, but admitted that his addictions to sex and drugs messed up his life.

Morrison had great potential to be great, but never lived up to it. He’s a good lesson and reminder, as are De La Hoya and Tyson, that despite public success, some high-level athletes still face overwhelming personal challenges.