Issue 109
December 2013
OKINAWA, JAPAN
US MILITARY MAN HAS BEST RING NAME
It’s somewhat unusual an American heavyweight mixed martial artist stationed in Japan with the US Army should be fighting pro-rules MMA in regional shows. But what’s even stranger is the name Specialist Jay Morton is known by among fans in Okinawa. Because his official ring moniker is literally That Guy. Not Jay ‘That Guy’ Morton: it’s first name That, second name Guy.
The 5-1 pro who, by day, works as a patriot missile operator maintainer with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery (Regiment) is even called That Guy on his official Sherdog profile. And on real fight cards under the Tenkaichi banner (also his gym) that’s how he’s listed, even after he won the organization’s heavyweight title.
We wouldn’t like to speculate as to why Morton has such a bizarre ring name, but we’re going to anyway. Is it all an awkward misunderstanding? Perhaps. Did exactly no one in the gym learn his name? Maybe. Is Jay Morton a struggle for the native Japanese tongue? If it can manage Russian Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko it’s probably alright.
Does Morton have the best name on Sherdog? Well, you’d have to ask the chaps whose records are listed on the site under the ludicrous names Terror Terror, Dick Tiger and Everton Everton.
MARTIAL ARTS CLUBS BANNED IN EAST TIMOR
The government in East Timor recently banned clubs from practicing martial arts in the South East Asian country. The decision came in several months ago after continued and deadly violence between rival gyms, which in the past few years has been responsible for 12 deaths and 200 injuries according to police in the country.
MEGUMI FUJII LOSES FAREWELL BOUT FOLLOWING EYE POKES
The retirement fight of women’s MMA legend Megumi Fujii ended in an anticlimax in October. Rematching her second-ever loss, Jessica Aguilar, at Vale Tudo Japan 3rd, Fujii took two accidental eye pokes and after a long doctor’s inspection elected to continue. However, the condition of her right eye worsened and the doctor halted the fight between the second and third rounds, giving Aguilar a TKO win later changed to a majority technical decision after tabulating the judges’ cards. Fujii ends her career with a 26-3 record, having gone unbeaten her first 22 bouts.
Several Brazilian malls recently saw the opening of Sports Arenas, dedicated MMA kiosks selling equipment and apparel. The chain wants to open 70 within five years.
LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES
MMA VS. BOOBS
You there, do you have fake boobies? If you answered in the affirmative, we sincerely hope you weren’t planning on throwing down in the state of Louisiana. Because the Louisiana State Boxing and Wrestling Commission recently declared war on bearers of breast implants wanting to battle in the cages or rings which fall under its jurisdiction.
In early September the body passed an emergency 60-day ruling banning women with breast implants fighting under MMA rules in the state unless cleared by a doctor, in order to allow the commission more time to investigate the likelihood of issues arising from the physical augmentations in combat.
It appears a female fighter due to compete in the state had recently pulled out of a contest overseen by the commission due to a problem with a breast implant.
At the meeting concerning the 60-day restriction, commissioner Harold Williams reportedly said: “If they want to look good, then they don’t have to be in the ring.”
2009
In 2009 a British female amateur boxer was banned from competing due to concerns strikes could cause damage to breast tissue because of her bust implants.
