Issue 137

January 2016

FO looks back at six headlines that had a seismic impact on MMA in the last 12 months 

We're here to take over!

UFC 189 world tour goes global

Never has MMA hype reached such heights. When Conor McGregor was booked to take on José Aldo for a July showdown, the UFC took the fighters to 10 cities around the world to set the stage for the most anticipated fight of the year. And all the belt-snatching, trash-talking and stare-downing antics attracted thousands of fans to attend press conferences, as well as millions to watch the fun unfold on the Embedded YouTube series. Sadly, a rib injury forced Aldo out of the fight, but the whole ordeal was no waste of time. The build-up still helped UFC 189 become one of the biggest events of the year as ‘The Notorious’ took on Chad Mendes, and set the stage for an even bigger, champion vs. champion fight at UFC 194 in December.

From P4P champ to P4P chump

Jon Jones hit and run screw up

No incident prompted a greater collective intake of breath in the martial arts world than Jon Jones’ vehicular misadventure on April 28th, when he allegedly injured a pregnant woman in an accident and fled the scene of the crime. UFC president Dana White said ‘Bones’ had blown his last chance with the company and pulled him from the UFC 187 main event. He was also stripped of his title and suspended until October, when he was handed a probationary sentence and a conditional discharge by a New Mexico judge. The former number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world is now clear to fight again in 2016.

Freedom fighters

The world unites to #FreeNickDiaz

Factions of MMA fans rarely agree on anything. Whether it’s a debate about the best fighter in the world or what sort of shampoo Urijah Faber uses to maintain such incredible locks, flame wars engulf forums and comment boards on a daily basis. But when Nick Diaz was struck with an unprecedented five-year suspension for a positive marijuana metabolites drug test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, keyboard warriors, fighters and even pop icon Cher united as one in protest. Almost 115,000 people signed a White House petition to lift the ban. And thanks to their pressure, the former Strikeforce champ is likely to have his sentence significantly reduced.

The Emperor's new clothes

Fedor disappoints fans again with comeback announcement

Long-suffering fight fans had been here at least twice before, but this let down by arguably the best heavyweight fighter ever still hurt. When Fedor Emelianenko announced he’d be returning to action in July, the world held its breath and prayed he’d finally be coming to the UFC Octagon to test himself against the biggest names. Alas, it wasn’t to be and ‘The Last Emperor’ revealed he was happy to return for an easy paycheck in Japan’s Rizin Fighting Federation to fight on New Year’s Eve.

Warning: Dynamite in use

Bellator doubles down on MMA and kickboxing

The word ‘tentpole’ took on a whole new meaning in 2015 as Bellator MMA pulled out all the stops for its quarterly blockbuster shows. And there was no event more extravagant than when the organization descended on president Scott Coker’s old stomping ground of San Jose for its Dynamite card. Billed as an homage to the grand Japanese MMA spectaculars of the previous decade, Bellator joined forces with kickboxing organization Glory and built a cage and a ring in the SAP Center for one night of co-promotion combat. It certainly drew some eyeballs thanks to pyrotechnics, a one-night tournament and all the star power they could muster.

We run this mother!

UFC's women break records down under

When the Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit fight was pulled from the Octagon’s debut event in Melbourne, Australia, UFC fans held their collective breath. A stadium show was suddenly without its headline fight. But there was no need to fear, as the promotion’s leading ladies stepped in to save the day.

Thanks to Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm clashing in the biggest fight in female MMA history, and a fantastic co-feature scrap between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Valerie Letourneau, UFC 193 drew more than a million pay-per-view buys and attracted a record-breaking 56,214 through the doors of the Etihad Stadium. Biggest. UFC. Ever!