Issue 146

October 2016

A round-up of news and features from across the wide world of mixed martial arts.

London, England: Fight song

This issue’s award for entrance innovation goes to a former competitor on the UK version of The Voice for his effort at Bellator’s British debut. Chase Morton sang his latest single, London City, to the crowd, but once he got to the cage he fared little better than he did on the reality show. He was knocked out of the singing contest and submitted in his fight by Nathaniel Wood.

Las Vegas, Nevada: Viking power!

The new MMA global superpower is Sweden according to the medal table at the end of the amateur IMMAF World Championships. The Scandinavian nation finished top with three gold medals – Gabriella Ringblom at 125lb, Cornelia Holm at 135lb and Irman Smajic up at heavyweight. 

Singapore: Cash grab 

In the same week as the UFC’s sale, more MMA money news came from One Championship. Heliconia Capital Management – a division of Temasek Holdings – invested an eight-figure sum in the promotion. One’s chairman, Chatri Sityodtong, said it’s on course to be worth more than $1 billion within 18 months – after just five years in business. Watch your back, Dana White.

Moscow, Russia: Crush on you 

Bellator’s Anastasia Yankova is an attractive woman – but we don’t know whether she’s heard anyone call her out like Ilima MacFarlane has. “I’m not sure if my desire to fight her has more to do with my hopes for a title shot, or a hidden sexual tension I feel between us. Either way, I’m game,” she told MMA Junkie. Settle down, boys.

Manila, Philippines: Foreign affairs

Because of the nations’ fractured history, WSOF Global Championship could have picked a better way to promote its fight between Pakistan’s Uloomi Karimlooks and India’s Yadwinder Singh. A press release for its July event said: “With the 50-year anniversary of The India-Pakistan War of 1965 recently passing, WSOF-GC is reigniting the fuse.” Or give peace a chance?

And finally. . . 10/13

The IMMAF Worlds’ 13 gold medals were won by fighters from 10 different nations. Only Sweden and New Zealand (twice) put multiple athletes on top of the podium.