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.

80. Sambo: First Blood

First popularized in mixed martial arts by Pride heavyweight great Fedor Emelianenko, sambo is having a huge impact on the sport today courtesy of the growing crop of Russian fighters leaking into gyms and onto fight cards across Europe and around the rest of the world. 

81. The war on drugs

Performance-enhancing drugs have never been welcome in the ring or cage, but this year’s drive to force PED cheats out of the sport appears to have gone global. Actions speak louder than words, but with some heavy hitters on board, a serious statement towards the safety of athletes has been made.

82. Joey Lauzon III (1-0)

While daddy Joe Lauzon may well be one of the most successful bonus check-bagging performers ever to set foot inside the Octagon, young Joey Jr. proved he was a chip off the old block by defeating cancer just days after being born. Kind of puts everything else into perspective, doesn’t it?

83. Bruce Leeroy’s Afro

UFC bantamweight Alex Caceres has some special hair. Far from being just a gimmick, this ‘fro now adorns the heads of one of the world’s best and most-improved bantamweights. Arguably the most distinctive style in the Octagon, it also has the added bonus of extra cushioning on the back of his head – possibly why he’s never suffered a knockout defeat.

84. Mark Hunt’s walkaway KO celebration

Is there a cooler way to celebrate a fight? The ‘Super Samoan’s nonchalant no-sell celebration seems even more impressive when you consider the kind of cataclysmic KO punch that immediately precedes it. Most other fighters would be halfway up the side of the cage wall to celebrate with their cornermen, but the 265lb Kiwi is content to stroll around the Octagon as if he hadn’t just earned a healthy bonus check for ruining someone’s day.

85. The Bad Boy yacht

Docked in San Diego Bay and usually reserved for Alliance MMA’s elite athletes visiting for their fight camps – like Luke Barnatt or Alexander Gustafsson – the Bad Boy yacht is a home away from home for the gym’s collection of overseas talent. And, if the rumors are true, it’s seen some sights.

86. Paige VanZant’s Instagram

The UFC’s 115lb division might be less than a year old, but it’s already got a hell of a star in Paige VanZant. Not only can ‘12 Gauge’ beat the brakes off of her opponents with her relentless, all-action style, the 21-year-old’s Instagram shows she could probably walk down a runway without a single soul batting an eyelid.

87. Sean McCorkle’s Twitter

Sean McCorkle may have never become the heavyweight champion of the world, but he’s certainly mixed martial arts’ undisputed champ of social media jokes. If you’re a fan of no-holds-barred MMA humor that would make your grandmother gasp, then ‘Big Sexy’ is someone you should follow. 

88. Nick Newell’s Facebook

WSOF’s lightweight contender has a prominent social media presence and likes nothing more than trolling his followers with bizarre images, memes and comments on all things MMA and beyond. The 80s orange jumper photo series with his girlfriend was truly something to behold.

89. Arianny Celeste’s Instagram

When she’s not engaging in back-and-forth verbal barbs with UFC women’s 135lb champ Ronda Rousey, Arianny Celeste is off doing what she does best – looking fantastic. If her time holding up ring cards for events and hosting television shows hasn’t already convinced you of the value of her ‘assets’, then we guarantee her Instagram page will. 

90. Ben Askren’s Twitter

MMA fans love nothing more than a fighter who isn’t afraid to speak their mind and Ben Askren might be the best at it. It doesn’t matter if you’re UFC president Dana White, former 170lb champ Johny Hendricks or just a mouthy fan, the One Championship welterweight king will gladly toss a razor-sharp comment of 140 characters or fewer in your direction. 

91. Rumble wear

By adorning the backs of everyone from The Rock to Jeremy Piven and seemingly every athlete out of Florida and Georgia, Anthony Johnson’s Rumble T-shirts have got to be some of the most in-demand pieces of merchandise available in MMA right now.

92. Pearlene Johnson

The inspiration behind one of MMA’s greatest KO campaigns is an adorable old lady from Dublin, Georgia. ‘Rumble’ is so worried his grandmother will suffer a heart attack when he fights, he feels he needs to finish them quickly, which usually means someone ends up unconscious. For that, Grandma Johnson, we tip our hats to you.

93. Drunk on Strange Brew

Never has the power of the pen been so gloriously celebrated in MMA than in the days after Chuck Mindenhall’s article on TUF 1 ‘victim’ Jason Thacker. The story went global and inspired a GoFundMe campaign. Fans raised almost $13,000 to help the Canadian – who had fallen on hard times since his UFC experience – support his unwell family. Planet MMA, we salute you.

94. Mighty Mouse’s 125lb dominance

Demetrious Johnson will never get the kind of love afforded to guys in the heavier weight classes, but his ability cannot be ignored. Rather like Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the ring, the flyweight king dominates opponents without taking shots or dropping rounds. Polished P4P performer.

95. Safety in MMA

Whether it’s for weight cutting or head trauma, it’s pleasing to see the top promotions, millions of dollars and the brightest scientific minds are backing research to make sure fighters are protected as much as possible. 

96. Reebok fighter apparel

It may not even have been launched yet, but it’s bound to become a best seller this summer. Due to make its first appearance at the UFC Fan Expo in July, Reebok’s UFC gear is likely to dominate gyms the world over.

97. The Immortal chin

Violence and Matt Brown go together like Krispy Kremes and icing. The Ohio welterweight fights like his life depends on it every time he enters the Octagon, happily shipping knockout strikes on his granite, goatee-laden chin as he walks down his foes to deliver a package of gift-wrapped elbows to their unfortunate faces. 

98. Women’s MMA

It’s hard to believe that just five years ago the female side of the sport was little more than a footnote, given that women’s MMA is booming these days. More and more female fights are adorning most UFC fight cards, and women will return to the Bellator cage later this year... They really do run the world.

99. Jon Anik: The Silver Fox

The UFC presenter, so long a supporter of a cleanly-shaven dome, resurfaced in March with a immaculately sculpted wave of grey hair. Clearly chasing the housewives’ vote, the former ESPN anchor is now available as George Clooney’s body double when required.

100. Fun fights

Not every fighter has a realistic chance of winning a belt, so some fights are made simply to put smiles on fans’ faces. It doesn’t always have to be about rankings or championship eliminators, sometimes you just want to see leather flying for a post-fight bonus. Long may that continue.