Issue 111

February 2014

Things we hear, things we see, things we know.

Ex-UFC champ Franklin opens Beverly Hills juice bar

Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin has set up an organic juice bar in Beverly Hills, California. The Cincinnati native’s latest outside-the-cage venture, ZeLin, opened for business in November and sells a range of smoothies and cold-press juices as well as other drinks, fruit bowls and gluten-free vegan baked goods.  

UFC fans getting more for free

North American UFC fans are watching more fights for free than ever before. In 2013, 20 events (61% of all UFC shows that year) were on free TV, up from 18 (which accounted for 56% of the total) in 2012, and 11 (41%) in 2011. With news the UFC is wanting to hold 50 events in 2014, there have been concerns more strain will be placed on dedicated followers’ wallets in North America who like to flash the cash on UFC numbered events. But there has been a steady decline in pay-per-view events over the past few years too, dropping from 16 in 2011, to 14 then 13 in 2012 and 2013 respectively.  

Designer brand Armani makes tacky MMA-themed sweater

Designer brand Emporio Armani is selling a sweater emblazoned with a cheap-looking MMA-centric design in its EA7 sportswear range. The gray version ‘boasts’ a white hexagon under black, grunged-up lettering that spells ‘mixed martial arts.’ It’s currently available for €115 ($155) across mainland Europe. 

Hong Kong's Legend FC shuts down

The Hong Kong-based Legend FC promotion has ceased business. Founded in 2010, its high-quality show preceded several of the region’s larger players, such as One FC, RUFF and PXC, but ultimately succumbed to the ever-more competitive Asian MMA market when its primary investor pulled out at the end of 2013. The organization gave fights to several of Asia’s up-and-coming crop of fighters and TUF: The Smashes winner Robert Whittaker.