Issue 127
April 2015
Striking sensation Mark Hunt added another victim to his list of fallen foes when he landed a perfect uppercut to the chin to finish Roy Nelson in the Land of the Rising Sun back in September
When the fight between Mark Hunt and Roy Nelson was first announced, anticipation among MMA fans was at a fever pitch. Not only did both men have a combined 20 knockouts on their records, they were both known for being able to take a punch better than nearly any other heavyweight. The only question was: who would land big first?
After a close opening round, Hunt closed the show midway through the second. As Nelson ducked a left hook, he moved his head directly into a cannon of a right uppercut that, once it landed, sent the iron-jawed heavyweight to the canvas face-first and prompted another of the ‘Super Samoan’s patented walk-away KO celebrations.
Most fighters would have recognized that ‘Big Country’ is nearly impossible to finish and prepared for several more minutes of heavyweight action. But Hunt, a former K-1 World Grand Prix champion, was confident his blow had finished his rotund foe for good. He simply stepped aside with his arms aloft in victory.
Unsurprisingly, being only the second man in history to KO Nelson, the 40-year-old was rewarded with a $50,000 ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus, closely followed by a victory in the fans vote for the ‘Knockout of the Year’ award at the Seventh Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards.
In his acceptance speech, Hunt said: “Thank you to everyone who voted for me for KO of the Year. I am honored and blessed. Thank the good lord himself for allowing me to compete at this level. I’m looking forward to a big 2015 when I get started again.”
UPPERCUT KNOCKOUT MADE EASY
Blackzilians head striking coach Henri Hooft shares his three top tips to land the perfect uppercut, so you can hit a walk-away KO like Mark Hunt
1. If you’re throwing a right uppercut, then make sure your left shoulder is in front of your face. This means the uppercut is hidden as you don’t really see the other arm. You’re twisting your body a little bit so they don’t see your uppercut.
2. Also, don’t stand square, put your forward foot in a good direction, keep your shoulders back a little bit and the uppercut will be there already. A lot of people stand really square, keep their shoulders back and then throw an uppercut. That’s too slow. People will see that. The positioning of your body is very important.
3. I like my uppercuts to be straight instead of turning too much, like the way Anthony Johnson throws his uppercut. A boxing uppercut is really with the inside of the hand, which can really hurt your wrist. I like to throw it straight forward.
Referee of the year
Herb Dean
Ringcard girl of the year
Arianny Celeste
Leading man
Dana White
Personality of the year
Joe Rogan
Promotion
UFC
Gym of the year
Team Alpha Male
...
