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.

54. The Fighters Only World MMA Awards

It’s MMA’s most indulgent red-carpet event. The one banner night in the year that not only gives the best and brightest stars of the rings and cages the occasion they deserve to have their talent and achievements celebrated and recognized, but the prizes are also voted for by you – the fans. And it’s getting bigger and better every year. 

55. Johny Hendricks’ Bigg Rigg

The former 170lb champ needs some serious wheels to complement his nickname, so he didn’t mess around when he chose his Ford F-650. It’s a big ol’ toy for manly pursuits with boxes for hunting trips; enough storage space for half of Dallas; pop-out speakers for tailgating parties; and a DVD player in the back so his daughters can watch their shows on the road.

56. Alistair Overeem’s motor tricycle

When you’re in Amsterdam, an automobile isn’t the most convenient way to get around. More than 1.2 million people travel by bicycle in the Dutch capital. But ‘The Reem’s incredible bulk is probably a bit too big to fit on a spindly frame. Instead, he opts for three wheels and charges around on his trusty Can-Am Spyder – the only tricycle with enough horsepower for the heavy-hitting striker.

57. Clay Guida’s dudemobile

‘The Carpenter’s 40ft RV is the vehicle his road to victory is built on. When you have a residence on wheels, you can take all of your home comforts with you for training camp, and that’s exactly what the 33-year-old does. His massive vehicle has it all, from a kitchen to a stand-up shower, and when it arrives anywhere, it looks like Optimus Prime is rolling into town. 

58. Josh Koscheck’s airplane

The TUF 1 standout’s decade-long Octagon career has allowed him to splash out on a fleet of luxury cars and bikes, but the crown jewel of his vehicular collection is his Cirrus SR22 airplane. He calls it the Ferrari of the sky, and no wonder. While everyone else’s blood pressure boils on the congested freeway, he can jet from Fresno to LA at 215mph in 15 minutes. Who needs wheels when you can have wings?

59. Donald Cerrone’s horses

The perennial UFC fan favorite has plenty of options to get him from A to B, but ‘Cowboy’s favorite mode of transport is fitting for his moniker. Forget his collection of cars, bikes and quads, the purest form of horsepower can be found on four legs in his stables. And believe it or not, every now and again, you can see one of his stallions tethered outside Jackson-Wink too.

60. Evolve MMA vacations

Let’s be honest, going on vacation just to get drunk and sunburnt has become incredibly clichéd. That’s why the Singapore gym’s vacation package is the new way to escape the rat race and have a life-changing martial arts experience. Not only do you get to visit the sights of the Southeast Asian nation, you also get to train alongside the likes of One Championship lightweight champion Shinya Aoki.

61. ‘Judo’ Gene Lebell

Despite having a formidable death touch and iconic sunglasses, Steven Seagal doesn’t get the award for the coolest martial arts mentor in MMA. That particular title goes to Ronda Rousey’s timekeeping tutor. His stopwatch is the go-to device for recording his pupil’s blink-and-you-miss-them Octagon appearances, while his one-line soundbites prove Chael Sonnen and Conor McGregor are just pretenders to his quick-wit crown.

62. Alan Jouban’s model looks

MMA fighters aren’t usually known for being the most attractive of folks – often because most of their time is spent being hit in the face – but Black House MMA welterweight Alan Jouban has bucked that trend. When he’s not cracking opponents with vicious standing elbows, he’s using his handsome features to model high-end fashion. Some guys just have all the luck.

63. Mjolnir MMA

Home to UFC welterweight Gunnar Nelson, the state-of-the-art Mjolnir MMA facility in Reykjavik hosts 1,200 members; including black belts that pack the mats and the next generation of European KO kings. Incredibly impressive when you look at Iceland’s tiny population and remote location just outside the Arctic Circle. Post-training recovery bath in icy Faxafloi Bay, anyone?

64. International Fight Week

There’s no denying how fan-friendly and welcoming the annual Las Vegas celebration of all things MMA is every summer. Where else can you spend the day chatting with the UFC’s biggest stars, then hang out with them at night – at pool parties hosted by the Octagon girls no less? Plus, there are now two great fight cards to top it all off.

65. Trevor Wittman’s custom mitts

When the Grudge Training Center coach isn’t sharpening his fighters’ skills, he’s at home working the sewing machine and producing some of the very best bespoke focus pads in the business. Just check out Duane Ludwig’s pair below.

66. The MMA art of Guy Smalley

Ever wondered what would happen if an illustrator with 40 years’ experience drawing satirical cartoons for some of the world’s leading newspapers devoted his art to his love of MMA? No one is safe when Guy’s sketching his topical, humorous and brilliant designs, but there are few higher honors for a fighter than to be immortalized by his brush.

67. MVP’s Swag

Love his style or loathe it, you can’t deny that Michael ‘Venom’ Page is a must-see attraction. Bellator’s flashy 170lb’er loves to dance around opponents and make them look foolish. Critically he backs up his taunting with audacious moves usually reserved for martial arts flicks or the latest incarnation of Mortal Kombat. Violence has rarely looked so good.

68. Joanna Jedrzejczyk: Sneaker freak

If bringing Europe back into the UFC championship mainframe wasn’t enough to capture the hearts and minds of millions of fans, this bad-ass Polish punisher shines with her own standout style. Her social media gives us a view of some the coolest sneakers on the planet, including a vintage collection of her favorite Jordans, which she’ll wear ahead of a pair of heels any day. 

69. Polynesian production line 

First there was BJ Benn, now the latest crop of hot Hawaiian prospects is kicking ass across the divisions in MMA’s biggest shows. Surely another championship belt isn’t far away for the Aloha State?

70. ‘Jacare’s wall walk

Ronaldo Souza’s cage-walking prowess is something to behold and possibly the coolest guard pass in the sport. Also known as the Spider-man pass, the move puts the Brazilian in a position to wrap opponents up in his web of submissions.

71. University of Grappling

Diminutive grappling guru Ricky Lundell is undoubtedly one of the hottest coaches in MMA. Not only does he work with a murderers row of fighters day to day, he also offers his services all over the world in online videos and in the pages of this very magazine.

72. Roots of Fight’s retro threads

This new kid on the apparel block is churning out some of the most awesome threads in fight sports. Its gear is a must-have if you want to give some love to legends through their Bloodlines collections. MMA is repped by icons BJ Penn and the Gracies, while there are also designs for Bruce Lee, Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali.

73. Aaron Pico

This prodigy is waiting in the wings to break out as MMA’s next big thing. He’s already penned a contract with Bellator, bagged a deal with Nike and secured a Dethrone sponsorship – and he hasn’t even fought yet. The 18-year-old is also tipped for wrestling gold at the 2016 Olympics, which he’ll add to his Golden Gloves boxing titles and Pankration medals. Quite possibly the hottest prospect on the planet.

74. Off with their heads

Someone down at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California is a serious history buff, with a particular penchant for the French Revolution if the number of guillotine chokes, and other neck-ripping submissions used by the team’s biggest stars are anything to go by. Like Napoleon long before them, these are little men with wicked intentions.

75. Contacts

What do you get when you cross over into Hollywood and become a star of the silver screen? Some of the world’s biggest actors available at just a tap of a smartphone screen. Turns in The Expendables 3, Furious 7 and Entourage have allowed Rousey to rub shoulders with The Rock, Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone… The list goes on. 

76. Timekeeping

Either ‘Rowdy’ is in a hurry to get out of the Octagon or she’s allergic to the second round. Either way, opponents, beware, because you’re not going to have much time to work. Her last three foils – in world championship fights no less – have lasted a combined 96 seconds. Rousey has only gone beyond the opening five minutes once in her amateur and pro career.

77. Armbars

Once upon a time, MMA fans used to joke that the outcome of any proposed fight would be ‘Rickson by armbar’, thanks to the Gracie legend’s effortless grappling ability. Now it would make sense to replace the BJJ superhero’s name with that of a certain female judoka. An incredible nine of her 11 pro wins have come by way of her staple move. They see it coming, but they’re powerless to stop it.

78. Death stare

Fancy getting all up in Rousey’s grille? Prepare to have her eyes burn right through to your very soul. Few fighters manage to maintain such effortless composure while simultaneously radiating such a savage and bloodthirsty scowl. It’s enough to defeat her challengers before they even get into the cage.

79. Cover stardom

The fact Ronda is as attractive as she is lethal, whether you like it or not, means she’s translated seamlessly into the mainstream. In combat she revels in her role as the all-conquering bad-ass heel. But in real life, and particularly on the red carpet, she’s the UFC’s leading lady every time.