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. Nos 27-53.
27. Bang Muay Thai
The striking style pioneered by two-time World MMA Awards ‘Coach of the Year’ Duane Ludwig draws on his 20 years of tuition under top coaches like Trevor Wittman and training with legends like Ramon Dekkers. In an evolution of the classic Thai style, it encourages unpredictability and switching stances to throw off opponents. Want proof of its effectiveness? Check out TJ Dillashaw’s golden UFC belt.
28. Irish fans
Fighters, journalists and Dana White spewed superlatives about the boisterous, beer-tossing crowd when the UFC returned to the Emerald Isle last year. The Dublin decibel level peaked at 111 when 9,500 people went into a frenzy after Conor McGregor finished Diego Brandao in the first round. That’s damn loud, and makes Irish fans the pound-for-pound loudest in the world. No wonder there’s talk of an 80,000-capacity Croke Park show in the future.
29. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s war hat
The ruthless and unbeaten Russian loves to don his zany white fur hat at every opportunity. Though it might look like locks of Josh Koscheck’s hair woven together, it’s actually a papakha – headwear that’s native to the mountain folk of his homeland in the Caucasus. Seeping with superstition, it’s said you should never take yours off unless you fight an enemy, and if you have no one to give you advice: ask your papakha.
30. Bellator MMA’s matchmaking
Scott Coker and his team sure know how to create an exciting event. The former Strikeforce CEO and his cohorts picked up where they left off to deliver card after card of fan-friendly matchups. Whether it’s the non-stop finishes on the undercards courtesy of rising local talent, or ferocious firepower delivered by some of the promotion’s go-to action men on Spike, you’re almost guaranteed some serious bang for your buck.
31. MMA fantasy leagues
You can bag a wad of Benjamins with your MMA expertise. If you’ve got the knowledge, then you might as well get paid for it. Sports sites like DraftKings have created a platform for MMA fans to set up their own leagues and profit from their fight acumen. It’s 100% legal with real cash prizes, so log on to become the head coach of your own team of fighters and win big.
32. Celebrity fans
Hollywood’s elite are just as bloody-minded as the rest of us and who can blame them? Prizefighting has a rich history of Tinseltown’s most famous figures lapping up a ringside view in their lavish fur coats and pimp-daddy suits. Action movie stars Mickey Rourke, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Charlize Theron have all been spotted Octagon-side as well as the less bad-ass, but just-as-famous pop sensation, Justin Bieber.
33. MMA Superheroes
Whether it’s real life crime fighters like Seattle’s masked vigilante Phoenix Jones competing in the WSOF cage, Jon Jones tackling robbers on the day of a title fight, or simply normal everyday MMA fans using the moves they learn at the gym to stop assailants the world over, mixed martial arts is to the human race what gamma rays were to Bruce Banner and The Hulk.
34. UFC and WWE’s ‘special relationship’
Whether there’s anything in writing or not, the relationship the UFC has with the WWE is very real and benefits both brands enormously. From Brock Lesnar switching codes and taking fans in both directions, to the UFC’s recent signing of CM Punk and Ronda Rousey’s monumental appearance in this year’s Wrestlemania, fans on both sides love the crossover – and long may it continue.
35. Dagestani MMA
Carved in the harsh climate of the Caucasus, Dagestan is a tiny fighting republic filled with bad asses, rogues and warriors. The mountain folk fought off the Romans, Persians and whoever else showed up over the centuries, and you can see the same warrior spirit has been passed down through generations. More than 50 white-knuckle fighters from the region have been exported to top MMA promotions in the last few years.
36. Tailored suits
McGregor is always on the lookout for a finish to get those performance bonus checks. After all, those custom-made suits aren’t cheap. No one rocks a three-piece and a crisp white shirt quite like the man from Crumlin. And a bit of accessorizing just ties everything together nicely; whether it’s a dickie bow here or a gold pocket watch there. It’s all part of the look.
37. The Fighting Irish
There’s not many people who could get away with the way McGregor squares up to his opponents. His wide stance with fists raised is an almost mirror image of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo, harking back to an antiquated boxing stance of the 1800s. Unfortunately for his foes, his attacks are far from archaic.
38. The Foggy Dew
Dana White suggested a track by fellow Dublin boys U2, and the Dropkick Murphys’ I’m Shipping up to Boston made an appearance when the McGregor show visited Beantown, but there’s only one song that will do for a true Irish entrance, and that’s Sinead O’Connor’s mournful rendition of this traditional song, backed by The Chieftains. “That’s some true Irish s**t right there,” said McGregor. “That’s some go-to-war s**t… Sinead’s an animal! Don’t f**k with Sinead ever!”
39. Body Ink
When McGregor first arrived in the UFC as a hot prospect from Cage Warriors, his skin was practically a blank canvas. But since then, as his notoriety and bank balance have swelled exponentially, so has his appetite for large designs. The first major addition was his huge ‘SBG gorilla’, which, in typical unorthodox style, he debuted with a selfie taken on the toilet. The latest addition? An almost life-size tiger’s head on his belly. No one ever said he was subtle.
40. High-amplitude kicks
Boxing is McGregor’s bread and butter. It’s what he’s used to KO four of his five UFC opponents thus far. But what’s really special about his striking game is his variety of flashy, but effective kicks. Check out his hook kicks and wheel kicks to the head and legs; his lead-leg side kick to bicycle kick combo; jumping knees; and powerful rear-leg snap kicks to the body. It’s a diverse attack that hurts his foes, keeps them guessing and sets them up for a knockout.
41. Andrei Arlovski’s dog
The Belarusian’s canine companion, Maximus, is an American Staffordshire Terrier that spends its days waddling around the mats at the Jackson-Wink gym in New Mexico while ‘The Pit Bull’ himself trains for combat inside the cage. He’s as popular with fans as any of the fighters – just when you thought Conor McGregor and Dana White was the best love affair in MMA, Andrei and his four-legged friend trump it easily.
42. Jon Jones’ cat
The ‘cat lady’ vibe seems to be in fashion at the moment. You can’t browse social media without coming across pictures of purring pets or seeing some sort of kitty video. MMA’s leading feline fanatic is arguably Jon Jones. His Instagram account looks like a pet store. He owns two exotic African Serval Savannah cats called Mufasa and Ali, which have both made show-stealing cameos on UFC Embedded.Jon Jones’ cat
43. Mike Dolce’s day rate
Imagine if Mike Dolce carried on his fighting career or never won a spot on TUF. MMA without the Dolce Diet would be like astronomy with binoculars instead of a telescope: it kind of works but not really. His regimen gives fatter fighters the tools to trim down and make weight safely so they can compete fit and healthy, which is why a one-on-one session with him may empty your wallet faster than a vacation to Vegas.
44. Bellator’s young guns
Bellator’s crop of young fighters is ready to be harvested and made into fighting-fuel to take the California-based promotion to the next level. Their stock has skyrocketed in the last 12 months as they upset the odds and collected circular-cage silverware. Successful promotions can’t just rely on UFC veterans and fading legends, they live and die on their homegrown talent, and Viacom’s organization is setting an example.
45. Jason Herzog’s Gloves
The best referees are the ones you don’t even notice, but you can’t help but turn your attention to Jason Herzog’s eye-catching – and rather fetching – purple gloves. His flamboyant fashion statement is actually down to some paramedics who worked with him at Total Combat events years ago. They gave him his first pair when he didn’t have his own, and so he still wears purple gloves in tribute to them and the work they do.
46. The Yoel Romero sprawl
Growing up on the grinding, sweat-soaked wrestling mats of Cuba to be honed into an elite Olympic grappler will sharpen your skills like no other environment. That explains why Yoel Romero has arguably the most supreme sprawl in MMA. His blink-beating takedown defense drops him flat like a pancake, then back to his feet like he’s got a springboard attached to his chest.
47. UFC Embedded
Once upon a time, fans watched Countdown shows and Dana White’s video blogs for a behind-the-scenes insight into the stars of the latest pay-per-view. But they seem like throwbacks to the dark ages compared to the UFC’s new-and-improved pre-fight-hype tour de force. Embedded provides candid access into fighters’ lives that you can’t get anywhere else as they make their final preparations for main events.
48. Firas Zahabi’s street fight breakdowns
The Tristar head coach’s tutorials are awesome. He posts on the Canadian gym’s YouTube channel using videos of scuffles on the street to aid self-defense in real fight situations. Whether you’re set upon by a Muay Thai maniac or a BJJ bully, coach Firas has the tools to help you stay safe on the streets.
49. KSW
The spectacle and popularity of Poland’s premier promotion is matched only by the UFC. It takes its cage to huge arenas around the Central European nation and draws tens of thousands of fans, who create a deafening roar in support of their fellow countrymen and women. No wonder the UFC was so keen to tap into this exploding MMA market earlier this year when it visited Krakow.
50. Jorge Masvidal’s fade
When you’re competing in front of thousands of people inside an arena, plus millions more at home, you need to perform well, and look good doing it. UFC lightweight Jorge Masvidal does both thanks partially to one of the planet’s tightest fades. Even if he loses, his hair still looks as sharp as a samurai sword.
51. Chad Mendes’ right hand
Someone call Homeland Security; Team Alpha Male has a weapon of mass destruction in its arsenal. Its featherweight standout has morphed from grinding wrestling machine to knockout artist and it’s been a joy to behold. His ‘Money’ shot right hand has been his main weapon in his campaign to cement his place as one of the 145lb division’s best and most exciting fighters.
52. Joe Silva’s man cave
The veteran UFC matchmaker may well be the biggest fanboy on the planet, and we got to see why when the UFC had a sneak peek around his personal MMA man cave. It’s nothing short of spectacular and features a cage, state-of-the-art training equipment, priceless merchandise and a treasure trove of a fight collection.
53. Luke Rockhold: MMA’s No. 1 playboy
If Ken, Barbie’s betrothed, has an MMA equivalent, surely it’s Luke Rockhold. His Hollywood looks and SoCal attitude even won him an appearance on Millionaire Matchmaker, a first for MMA. We got a glimpse into his playboy antics on the show, proving he’s just as smooth out of the cage as he is
in it.
