Issue 113

April 2014

‘The Axe Murderer' Silva turns humanitarian

UFC and Pride great Wanderlei Silva recently opened a free mixed martial arts gym in Campina Grande in the Brazilian state of Paraiba. Speaking to Brazilian press about the project that’s intended to cater to economically disadvantaged citizens of the city, Wanderlei said: “My focus is social, I want to give the opportunity to those who cannot pay.” 

Akiyama's daughter is a superstar in South Korea

The daughter of UFC welterweight Yoshihiro Akiyama has shot to fame in South Korea and become the face of the Johnson’s Baby range. Japanese-Korean fighter Akiyama is a celebrity in Korea, where he is known as Chu Sung Hoon, both due to his athletic career and his model wife Yano Shiho. His daughter, Sarang, has now found massive popularity in the country since both became regulars on TV show Superman Returns, where fathers look after their children single-handedly for 48 hours. Viewers love Sarang’s carefree nature and propensity for eating, leading to the pair doing shoots for the Korean editions of fashion magazines Cosmopolitan and Grazia.

UFC champion Ronda Rousey bags two new Warner Bros. movie roles

The Warner Bros. film studio has taken a shine to UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who has two big-screen acting roles lined up via the firm to follow her recent turns in Fast & Furious 7 and The Expendables 3. Your 2013 ‘Female Fighter of the Year’ will be a female lead in a forthcoming full-length feature based on popular TV series Entourage. And she’s also closely tied to a flick called Athena Project, after clicking with its writer Brad Thor, a bestselling author. 

Munoz 'really considering' adding Zumba to MMA training

UFC middleweight Mark Munoz has said he’s “really considering” using dance-fitness craze Zumba to help his MMA training after trying it at the LA Fit Expo recently. “With balance, movement, full work, it does cross over to MMA,” said Munoz. “The thing is with Zumba you (see) a lot of hip movement. You’ve gotta have good hips in MMA.” He added: “Now I’m really considering doing Zumba with MMA movements inside my gym just to get something kinda different, something fun.”