Issue 130
July 2015
Fighters Only’s comprehensive list of the most dynamic, entertaining and altogether coolest things that make MMA the greatest sport on the planet in 2015.
1. Rafael Cordeiro’s gameplans
FO’s very own master of Muay Thai has become one of the most revered trainers in the world thanks to the achievements of his Kings MMA students. Fabricio Werdum and Rafael dos Anjos have both claimed UFC gold thanks to the astute former Chute Boxe master.
2. Beards
Flexing a serious mane around your chin has become a fundamental feature for elite fighters. Flash a look over at the fight-night fuzz on display from fan favorites like Johny Hendricks and Alexander Gustafsson. Is it a coincidence a fistful of finely cultivated face fiber is a prominent feature on the visages of some of the sport’s premier KO artists? We don’t think so either.
3. Jackson-Wink’s cultural melting pot
You’ve got to give credit to Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn; the two elite MMA coaches have drafted together an international wrecking crew, honed to face the best on the planet. From Dutch strikers and Dagestani grappling machines, to all American outlaws, Jackson-Wink gym doesn’t care where you’re from, as long as you can fight.
4. ONE Championship’s soccer-kicks
If you ask any hard-core fan which rule they’d like to see universally embraced by the international MMA community, it’s a good bet they’d opt for the old-fashioned punt to the dome of a grounded opponent. Unfortunately, it’s outlawed by the Unified Rules, but a trip to Southeast Asia and the ONE Championship cage should satisfy your search for some serious boot-to-face action – as well as stomps and knees to the head on the ground.
5. UFC Fight Pass
There’s only one place to go to watch fights on the go. MMA’s ultimate online video library has almost everything you could want and more. UFC, Pride, Strikeforce: it’s all there; along with original content, TV shows and exclusive live events.
You can’t deny the bulk of bouts on offer.
6. Chael Sonnen’s roasts
After-dinner speaking isn’t something you’d expect from a gangster from the mean streets of West Linn, but Chael P is a different breed. Now he’s retired he can focus on his other skill-set and perform as the sport’s P4P number-one orator. At the NCAA college wrestling championships he brought the house down with quips about Randy Couture’s love life, acting ‘talent’ and cauliflower ears.
7. Robbie Lawler’s Hulk rage
Don’t make Robbie Lawler angry, you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. Well, you might, but his opponents certainly won’t. Lawler may look like a nice guy when he shares his winning grin with the camera, but when the UFC’s welterweight champ goes into berserker mode and stands toe-to-toe throwing bombs you can’t fail to be both impressed and a little scared of the ‘Ruthless’ one.
8. Ian McCall’s ‘tache
While there are many stars of the cage who can pull off a seriously masculine beard, only ‘Uncle Creepy’ stands out as a true mustachioed master of MMA. The UFC flyweight has flexed this fine piece of facial flamboyance for years now. It’s a classic throwback to the early days of gloved boxing and the top lips of old-school hard men like heavyweight champ John L Sullivan.
9. Dana White’s old-school sneakers
The UFC president keeps his footwear old school. Uncle Dana loves to rock a pair of
classic Adidas Gazelle sneakers along with a simple T-shirt and jeans, whether he’s in the office or on promo duty. A flashback to his Boston roots, it’s what all the Southie guys wore back in the day.
10. Benson Henderson’s toothpick
The ‘Smooth’ former 155lb champ appears to be only able to duke it out with a two-inch sharpened stick in his mouth these days. Why? Because he can, that’s why. We’re not saying we condone his behavior – frankly, it’s pretty nutty. But as Benson says: “It’s as dangerous for me to have a toothpick in my mouth as it is to have a 200lb man punch me in the face hard. I’m more worried about that, to be honest.”
11. Justin Gaethje’s reckless abandon
WSOF lightweight champion Gaethje fights like a freight train that doesn’t have any brakes. He only knows how to go forward, and if you get in his way he’ll smash you into little pieces. ‘The Highlight’ simply doesn’t appear to care for his own wellbeing. All that matters to him is that he feeds his bloodlust and gets another win added to his undefeated record. That’s what makes him one of the most exciting fighters on the planet.
12. The Fighter & The Kid
Touted by many as the best MMA-flavored podcast in cyberspace, hosts Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen attract an array of outstanding athletes and comedians. The sometimes ridiculous and always entertaining show was snapped up by Fox and has gone from strength to strength, delivering side-splitting comedy along with interesting talking points.
13. The Renato Laranja Show
Actor Rhasaan Orange’s alter ego is a BJJ phenom wrapped up in a TV presenter. Renato Laranja’s wildly entertaining, delightfully quirky and often cringe worthy show has MMA fans the world over doubled over with laughter. His pre-show movie script spoofs alone are worth every cent of your WiFi bill.
14. Inside the Octagon
Fight fans are lapping up the straight-talking insight and extensive breakdowns from EMEA broadcast team Dan Hardy and John Gooden. If you fancy a flutter on a few UFC fights, this free YouTube show has become a must for the inside track.
15. MMA Roasted
Remember when 40 million people clicked to watch Daniel Cormier dance around with his shirt off, scoffing fried chicken and letting the world know he was All About that Cake? Well, the viral hit of 2015 was the brainchild of podcast host Adam Hunter, whose weekly Fox Sports show is the source of much more MMA mirth.
16. The Tommy Toe Hold show
What’s up, fight fans? Each episode of this South Park-style lampoon lasts little more than five minutes – but man, is it funny. For each bite-sized episode, Tommy scores exclusive ‘interviews’ with the biggest stars of the Octagon and targets a topical issue for hilarious MMA light entertainment that’s guaranteed to tickle fight fans’ funny bones.
17. ASP Barbershop
If you want to get yourself a new ‘do to look fresh in and out of the cage, there’s only one place to go: Anthony Pettis’ low-cost, high-end chop shop in Milwaukee. The team of barbers deliver championship-caliber cuts surrounded by the pick of ‘Showtime’s most prized MMA memorabilia. It also specializes in fades, so you too can get a look just like pretty Tony P.
18. Everlast MMA gloves
With fight-spoiling eye pokes and post-fight broken hands both less common these days, Bellator’s use of Everlast’s Powerlock contoured MMA gloves can’t be ignored. Perhaps the best gloves on the market.
19. Paul Daley’s left hook
In an age when so many fighters train to become a jack-of-all-trades, it’s refreshing to see others sticking to being a master of one. ‘Semtex’ is one of those. He’s not going to try and rip off an arm with some fancy jiu-jitsu. He’s in that cage to blow your head off with a lethal left hook. His opponents know it’s coming, but invariably, they can’t stop it. His 72% career knockout rate tells its own story.
20. Short shorts
They say styles make fights. Whoever first coined that phrase probably wasn’t thinking of martial artists’ in-cage attire, but it seems that garment of choice could be key to many fighters’ performance. More and more fighters are abandoning the board-short style for anything that cuts off high up the thigh. Whether they offer greater mobility or fighters just want to show off their quads, flashing a bit of leg is the in-cage look du jour.
21. MusclePharm Training Facility
Fitness supplement titan and UFC sponsor MusclePharm is the first company of its kind to build its own state-of-the-art Sports Science Center & Research Institute. The 40,000 square-foot athletic testing space is one of the best training facilities in the world, with the most up-to-date fitness equipment and a team of doctors and nutritionists on hand for support.
22. Jack Slack’s breakdowns
Cage fighting connoisseurs, take note. If you’re looking for in-depth exploration of mixed martial arts technique, this mystery man from the UK has you covered. His analysis doesn’t merely make observations about what techniques prizefighters use to win a bout, he tells you why they used them, how they used them and why they work.
23. Rousimar Palhares’ leg locks
‘Toquinho’ may have been bounced from the UFC for being a little too keen to mangle legs, but there’s no denying how effective his most deadly weapons are. The Brazilian’s grip on another man’s limb has to generate more feelings of anguish than any other scenario in the grappling domain. Get caught in that 170lb ball of muscle and you might as well be booking your one-way ticket to ligament-tear city.
24. MMA’s invasion of Metamoris
If you’re excited by dynamic jiu-jitsu and limb-wrenching submissions, grappling extravaganza Metamoris is the place to be – and it’s slowly being taken over by mixed martial arts luminaries. Rory MacDonald, Joe Lauzon and Jake Shields are among the fighters to have taken to the raised canvas that makes each event look like a scene from Bloodsport. Who’ll be next to face the grappling gauntlet?
25. AKA’s motorcycle club
As if Cain Velasquez wasn’t badass enough, he’s also the ringleader of a hog-riding motorcycle club. The car park at AKA in San Jose often looks like a scene from Sons of Anarchy, as the heavyweight champ’s Harleys have inspired the purchase of a string of two-wheeled toys by his teammates.
26. The international ringcard girl bonanza
As the UFC goes global, its pool of card-carrying talent grows. The full-blooded American babes have been joined by Samba stunners, Asian goddesses and European beauties in tiptoeing and teasing around the Octagon. How do the fighters get anything done with these eye-popping beauties walking around and cultivating their own army of fans with a cheeky wave and a kiss into the camera? Who’s your favorite?
