Issue 141
May 2016
Axe Murderer not rushing to face Fedor
Wanderlei Silva may have come out of retirement to fight for Bellator, but his return to competition is likely to be in Japan. ‘The Axe Murderer’ still can’t fight on US soil until next year because of a suspension imposed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but by signing with Rizin Fighting Federation – which has a working relationship with the Scott Coker-led promotion – he could escape those restrictions.
The 39-year-old was champion in the Land of the Rising Sun for Pride and told Combate he’s interested in returning to the country where he enjoyed the most success: “I really want to fight again in Japan. The Japanese promotion created Wanderlei Silva.” He added he was interested in fighting another icon from that era: Fedor Emelianenko. “I haven’t fought in two years, I can’t get him right away. I need to do some fights first, get my rhythm back. I don’t have anything against Fedor, but I would like to test myself.”
36 months
Wanderlei is banned until 2017 by the NSAC for fleeing a random drug test.
Crippler’s comeback halted by heart scare
Despite signing with Bellator in February, Chris Leben may never fight again. A competitor on the first season of TUF, the 35-year-old came out of retirement and planned a fight in the spring, but medical tests revealed a life-threatening abnormality, which means his heart is only operating at 18% of its capacity.
Doctors suspect his condition is largely due to his infamous hard-living lifestyle, which has included battles with alcoholism and opiate addiction. It’s hoped medication and a healthy lifestyle will reverse some of the damage over time, but other medical professionals believe he should be considered for a heart transplant.
In a statement released by his camp, Leben urged anyone who wants to support him during this health scare to buy a signed copy of his autobiography The Crippler: Cage Fighting and My Life on the Edge, which is available at chrisleben.ecwid.com.
Big hitter
Leben’s 1,791 strikes landed in the UFC is a 185lb record
On the radar
Emerging talent with big potential
Thiago Moises (BRA)
The ATT 21-year-old grabbed the RFA 155lb title in February by submitting walking Utah litmus test, David Castillo, with a slick helicopter armbar (see p97). He tells FO he’s eyeing a big-show assignment next, but is happy to improve his skills on the promotional second-tier.
Manny Vazquez (USA)
Stepping up on three weeks’ notice and submitting the previously red-hot unbeaten Brazilian Ricardo Lucas Ramos to claim the Legacy FC 135lb belt may put this 22-year-old’s promising career back on track.
Blaine O’Driscoll (IRE)
The latest prodigy from SBG Ireland enjoyed an extensive amateur career before finally turning pro in October. Big things are expected of this youngster after he passed his first test thanks to a second-round TKO.
Poll Position
Weight for it
Conor McGregor’s first Octagon experiment at 170lb ended in defeat but there are still opportunities for him in multiple divisions, so where would you like him to fight next?
@neutrino11: To let him continue with the original plan and fight for the 155lb strap at @ufc 200.
@cbehjatnejad: He would get smashed by any top 5 lightweight or welterweight. @FrankieEdgar will smash him too.
@patmcca26543438: At 145, he does not look healthy, and to go welterweight, he has to get stronger for the bigger guys... 155 is perfect.
@GTidymanSnr: lightweight, purely to shut RDA up and stuff – but I know Frankie deserves a shot at FW title. I’d like to see Aldo last of all.
@nlamberton1: 145lb for his next fight. Big and strong featherweight.
@DanIoannou: Featherweight. Needs to shore himself up with a fight he has best chance of winning. Another loss would do him serious damage.
#FOmag poll for the ‘The Notorious’s next challenge
Go back to featherweight – 69%
Move to lightweight – 18%
Continue at welterweight – 3%
Focus on big-money fights – 10%
MMA in the MAINSTREAM
Dancing queen
She may not have had the footwork required to outfox Rose Namajunas, but Team Alpha Male’s Paige VanZant aims to put her best foot forward on the current season of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars as the first active UFC athlete to compete on the show. The 22-year-old told FO last year she used to dance as a teenager, so let’s hope she’s still light on her feet. She couldn’t do much worse than retired Hall of Famers Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture, who were eliminated in the early rounds on previous seasons of the show.
What’s hot
A list
The guest list for UFC 196 included Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruno Mars, Gerard Butler and even chef Gordon Ramsay to make it the most celeb-packed show ever.
Jiu-jitsu
The internet was on fire with BJJ disciples shouting about the Brazilian art after a pair of main-event submissions in the UFC’s blockbuster March PPV.
209 tattoos
UFC commentator Jon Anik got the area code for Stockton, California inked on him after Nate Diaz beat Conor McGregor at UFC 196.
What’s not
Dreamcatcher’s heel turn
If you want fans to cheer for you, Gegard Mousasi, it’s probably not the best idea to flip the bird at 16,734 of them at London’s O2 Arena. “Booooooo!”
Busted!
Jake Ellenberger admitted voting for Donald Trump on Super Tuesday on Jimmy Kimmel’s Lie Witness News... But there was no vote in California that day!
EA Sports cover curse
First Ronda, now Conor. Both were stopped in the second rounds of their next fights after being announced as cover stars of EA Sports UFC 2.
x10
UFC Fight Night 84, featuring Anderson Silva vs. Michael Bisping tied the record for most decisions at an Octagon event by hitting double figures.
