Issue 143
July 2016
The attributes that justify why ‘The Last Emperor’ is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight of all time
Cool as ice
Nothing seemed to phase the Russian warrior. The stoic assassin appeared emotionless as he clinically dismantled his opponents. He also never had a bad word to say about another fighter and was respected by almost everyone in the sport.
Breaking ground
Emelianenko had all the force on the floor of a pneumatic drill. His hammering blows set up submissions, earned him decisions and made some fighters turtle-up in fear, inviting the referee to call a TKO.
Fearless
Fedor took the fight to his opponents and dared to go where no other man would even dream of. He bludgeoned jiu-jitsu legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira from inside his guard and traded with elite kickboxer Mikro ‘Cro Cop’ on his feet.
Iron jaw
Fedor’s jaw survived attacks from some of the hardest heavyweight hitters in history. His career was more than a decade old before he was finally legitimately knocked out by the infamous Dan Henderson ‘H-Bomb’.
Punching power
Whether he was swatting Andrei Arlovski out of the air, decapitating Brett Rogers or rushing Tim Sylvia from the opening bell, ‘The Last Emperor’s looping power punches were devastating. His kicks weren’t to be sniffed at either.
Hips don’t lie
Just when you thought you were safe in top position, Fedor’s legs would be in front of your face and you’d be tapping out as he cranked on your arm. He could sweep the very best grapplers, too, thanks to his high-level sambo base.
He might have eschewed a ‘legitimate’ comeback to spend the twilight of his athletic days fighting C-level fighters for huge paydays in the East, but Fedor Emelianenko is still recognized as the greatest heavyweight in MMA history. The Pride heavyweight champion was unstoppable in his prime and ruled his division with iron fists by maintaining an unprecedented undefeated record for almost 10 years. He also had one of the best sweaters you’ve ever seen.
8 Things you need to know about Mark Hunt
Growing pains
Hunt had a troubled childhood, in which he faced constant physical abuse from his father.
Locked up
Hunt was jailed twice as a young man in New Zealand for violent offenses.
Bar brawl
A bouncer introduced the ‘Super Samoan’ to combat sports after he saw him knock out several men in a brawl outside a tavern.
A few cold ones
The purse for the 42-year-old’s first kickboxing fight was a six-pack of beer.
Stand-in
Hunt was a late replacement for Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ when he won the 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix.
Boxed up
Hunt’s boxing career is less impressive than his other endeavors. His record is 0-1-1 from fights in 1998-2000.
Check out
The UFC offered to give Hunt a $450,000 severance package when it bought Pride. He refused.
Super Samoan
Hunt’s nickname comes from the Super Saiyan characters in Dragon Ball Z. which he liked to watch when he fought in Japan.
When metal meets mettle
The ultimate heavy playlist to fire up a fighter for their walk to the cage
Harvester of Sorrow
Metallica
MMA’s association with metal music is surprisingly limited considering fans’ ears are assaulted by Stemm’s Face the Pain at the start of every UFC pay-per-view broadcast. There are a few fighters willing walk out to the cage to a blast of one Satan’s own tunes. One is Carla Esparza, whose cutesy ‘Cookie Monster’ image contrasts to the monstrous Metallica classic that accompanies her entrances. The lyrics: “Anger, misery, you’ll suffer unto me,” are a perfect fit for her suffocating fighting style.
Raining Blood
Slayer
Chuck Liddell’s UFC 98 walk was the ultimate anthem from the Bay Area thrash gods.
The Immortal
Jasta
Written for Matt Brown by the singer of Hatebreed, but the UFC won’t let
him use it!
Thunderhorse
Dethklok
Tamdan McCrory rides to the Octagon with this blast from Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse.
Know Your Enemy
Rage Against the Machine
Carlos Condit’s intimidating soundtrack to confrontation.
The IVth Crusade
Bolt Thrower
Josh Barnett prefers an aural assault from this British death metal band.
Onward to Victory
Icepick
Andrei Arlovski’s early-days pick opens with the sound of a snarling pit bull.
Feiticeira
Deftones
The sound of Nick Diaz’s walkout song when the lights go down is unmistakable.
Mother
Danzig
Gabriel Gonzaga’s longtime moody accompaniment to the cage.
Enter Sandman
Metallica
Back to the world’s biggest metal band for Brock Lesnar’s precursor to a throwdown.
End of an era
Fighters salute NBA legend Kobe Bryant on his retirement from basketball
“One of the best to ever play the game!”
Daniel Cormier
“Bryant, well, I can only say thank you for everything you’ve for sports, my brother. Your willpower overcomes all barriers. Being an idol as you are isn’t for everybody, bro. Thanks for giving us so (much) joy. I’m your fan. Eternal happiness in your life, you deserve all the best today and always.”
Rashad Evans
“Respects to the legend Kobe Bryant for a great career. Father time will eventually come for us all. I’m glad I was able to watch this Legend play from the beginning to the end of his career. Much respect!”
Anderson Silva
“The great way to end a night with watching greatness. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers one last time.”
Steven Siler
“One of the greatest basketball players of all time. Kobe Bryant you’re an inspiration bruv, good luck with retirement.”
Soa Palelei
