Issue 142
June 2016
‘The Natural’ was often written off and counted out, but often defied the odds to become one of the all-time greats of MMA
Use your head
En route to another against-the-odds championship defense against jiu-jitsu giant Gabriel Gonzaga, Couture had a bit of help from his rock-hard head, as he smashed the Brazilian’s nose – and chances of taking the title – during a takedown.
Dirty deeds
A former Olympic alternate, ‘Captain America’ used his outstanding Greco-Roman wrestling skills to great effect, whether it was for takedowns or to control opponents and dirty box them in the clinch.
Not-so-fancy footwork
‘The Natural’ was not quite that when it came to strutting his stuff on Dancing With the Stars. He was voted off the show in the third week of its 19th season.
Ahead of the game
One of the first fighters to truly master strategy and game planning, the UFC’s first champion in two weight classes found a way to best younger and bigger opponents with a cerebral approach to fighting.
Heart of a lion
No challenge was too great for the UFC Hall of Famer. He always wanted to test himself against the best and biggest, even if it ended up being severely hazardous to his health.
Leg-up
Couture learned a valuable lesson from his first fight with Pedro Rizzo: learn to check leg kicks. ‘The Rock’ hoofed him so hard he was left with a severe left leg contusion and couldn’t walk right for weeks, but he still gutted-out the win after five rounds.
Randy Couture wasn’t he strongest, fastest or most athletic man to fight in mixed martial arts. He didn’t have the sharpest striking or most dynamic submission skills either. He did have heart and determination in spades to achieve incredible feats in the Octagon. A three-time UFC heavyweight champion, two-time light heavyweight champion, MMA pioneer and coach of the original Ultimate Fighter – he’s a true all-American hero.
8 Things You Need To Know About
Fabricio Werdum
Go, Horse!
Soccer teammates gave him his nickname ‘Vai Cavalo’ because he was so big and charged past defenders.
Love hurts
Werdum began jiu-jitsu aged 21 after his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend choked him with a triangle.
Blue chip
The Brazilian was world BJJ blue belt champ one year after he started rolling.
Viva España
A year later, he moved to Spain and had to train with the national judo team because there was no BJJ gyms.
Spooky
Werdum earned the nickname ‘Ghost’ when he trained in Madrid because he was tall and thin.
Handyman!
The UFC heavyweight champ worked as bricklayer, forklift driver and builder to earn money to fly back to Brazil to compete.
Deputy
Werdum was recruited by Mirko Cro Cop to improve his ground game during his early MMA career.
On the mic
Werdum’s Spanish fluency earned him the color commentator gig for the UFC’s Latin American broadcasts.
If the song fits
Sometimes you’ve got to choose a song that’s most appropriate for the occasion
Under Pressure
Queen and David Bowie
As a striker fighting at the top of the bill in his adopted homeland against the most dangerous submission artist in MMA history, Mark Hunt was certainly under pressure at UFC Fight Night 85 in Brisbane, Australia. What better way to embrace his circumstances than by choosing an appropriate accompaniment to the cage and get psyched to fight Frank Mir. Could it have been the catalyst for another casual walk-off knockout in round one? For that reason this belter by British rock legends kicks off Fighters Only’s playlist of songs that fit the bill.
Stranglehold
Ted Nugent
No track could be better to precede Joseph Benavidez’s vise-like submissions.
Survival of the Fittest
Mobb Deep
Rashad Evans proved this was true during his best years in the 205lb division.
God’s Gonna Cut You Down
Johnny Cash
At his peak, Spencer Fisher dispatched his opponents with almighty efficiency.
Rusty Cage
Johnny Cash
Few fighters could break free from Jon Fitch’s torturous three-round ground game.
Won’t Back Down
Tom Petty
Chris Weidman’s walkout made a statement before he took the title from Anderson Silva.
Here I Go Again
Whitesnake
An appropriate soundtrack for 59-fight MMA veteran and journeyman Joe Riggs.
Eye of the Tiger
Survivor
The fire and focus of Eddie Alvarez makes him the ideal fighter to claim this song as his own.
BMF (Blowin’ Money Fast)
Rick Ross
The reason former boxing champ James Toney talked his way into a fight with Randy Couture.
Cinderella Man
Eminem
Like Marshall Mathers said. Court McGee’s making the most of a second chance at life.
Fancy footwork
Fighters tune in to ABC’s dance-off spectacular to support Paige VanZant
Paige VanZant killed it in the ring! So proud she is representing the UFC like a true champ
Chuck Liddell
Everyone identifies me as a fighter and I want them to see I’m a girl too. There’s a whole other side of fighters and I want to be an inspiration.
Paige VanZant
Man that felt good. Loved being out there with Paige VanZant. So proud of her, she is a stunner.
Mark Ballas
Killed it! Congrats to Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas on a huge night
Urijah Faber
Just watched Paige VanZant’s performance on Dancing With the Stars! So happy you’re showing the world how good US fighters are at dancing. Awesome performance.
Chris Weidman
I can’t believe I’m seriously watching Dancing with the stars all because of Paige VanZant.
Kamaru Usman
You made me get super excited – every move you do. You’re so powerful with your dancing.
Carrie Ann Inaba
