Issue 119
September 2014
The history of mixed martial arts retold through the pages of FO’s archives
September 2012
In our Olympics special we revealed how UFC legend Dan Henderson’s greatest-ever achievement was representing the USA twice at the Games
There are very few sporting events that match the extravagance and excitement of the Olympics. Competitors from all around the world congregate in one locale to find out who is truly the best in their respective sports.
But what happens when the Olympics are over? Well, some of the athletes go on to enjoy careers as motivational speakers while others end up in normal office jobs; but, if they were able to represent their country in wrestling, judo, taekwondo or boxing, some of them transition over to mixed martial arts.
Indeed, MMA has had a long, storied relationship with Olympic athletes and in our September 2012 issue we spoke to some of MMA’s most famous Olympians.
Fight hero Dan Henderson told FO how his time in both the Olympics and MMA seemed like “two separate lives and two separate careers.” He then went on to reveal how he felt representing his country in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics was one of his greatest-ever accomplishments.
Fast forward two years and Henderson would be facing off against fellow Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier at May’s UFC 173. Cormier, who like Henderson twice represented the US in the Olympics, in 2004 and 2008, took ‘Hendo’ down a total of three times with giant slams, proving that his wrestling is some of the best in MMA.
However, that wasn’t the first Olympian vs. Olympian bout in the UFC. That place in history went to UFC bantamweight champion and judoka bronze medalist Ronda Rousey and wrestling silver medalist Sara McMann who squared off at UFC 170 in February of this year.
With the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro just two years away it’s fair to say that FO is already looking forward to watching a host of young amateur talent showcasing their skills before, hopefully, making the step up to the professional ranks of MMA.
NOSTRADAMMAUS:
THE FUTURE ISN’T ALL GOLD
In the September 2012 issue, our number-one pick as a future MMA prospect competing at the 2012 London Games was standout college wrestler and then-undefeated US medal hope Jordan Burroughs.
We picked the New Jersey native for both his grappling acumen and for expressing an interesting in MMA.
And although he won gold at the Games, two years later Burroughs has stated he no longer has any interest in competing in MMA because the sport is too “brutal.”
Has MMA missed out on a potential great? Only time will tell – and we’re not writing off this one just yet.
Elsewhere in the Sep 2012 issue
ISHII DESTINED FOR GREATNESS?
When we checked in with Satoshi Ishii in this issue he was 4-2-1 and coming off a loss against Fedor Emelianenko in December of 2011.
At the time we were opining that the 2008 Olympic judo gold medalist had a great future ahead of him in MMA. Two years later Ishii’s proven us right, riding an eight-fight winning streak, and holding wins against ex UFC champions and challengers, such as Tim Sylvia and Pedro Rizzo.
Training routinely in the US, and at only 27 years old, the Japanese judoka still has time to realize his true potential.
‘LIGHTNING’ STRIKES TWICE
No Olympic rundown would have been complete without Sydney 2000 judoka Hector Lombard.
And that’s why, after he dominated during his tenure in Bellator, we featured the Cuban-Australian in our Dialogue section ahead of his controversial split-decision UFC debut loss against Tim Boetsch in the summer of 2012.
OK, so Hector’s momentum was slightly stalled, but, following a win over Rousimar Palhares and then another controversial split decision loss, this time to Yushin Okami, ‘Lightning’ has since moved down to 170lb, where he’s currently 2-0 after smashing Nate Marquardt at UFC 166 and rag-dolling Jake Shields to a decision win at UFC 171.
It’s fair to say Lombard is now well and truly in the mix when it comes to finding a rightful heir to ex 170lb king Georges St Pierre.
STILL WAITING FOR FEDOR RETURN
Like everybody else in MMA we were devastated when heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko retired in June 2012.
But also like everybody else we were buoyed up by the big Russian stating he could be enticed back if offered a big fight and pay check.
Unfortunately, he’s not fought since destroying Pedro Rizzo in St Petersburg at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Rizzo earlier that year, so it seems the offers haven’t been quite right for ‘The Last Emperor’.
But even though Father Time may be catching up with the 37-year-old, we reckon most fans would still give their left testicle to see Fedor return.
