Issue 097

January 2013

The history of mixed martial arts retold through the pages from FO's archives

DECEMBER 2007

Clash of the Titans

Four years in the making, ‘The Iceman’ versus ‘The Axe Murderer’ finally went down this month in ‘07 – solidifying the legacies of two iconic champions

December is often a time of disappointment, when the shiny wonders kids long for aren’t quite the same when the wrapping paper comes off. In 2007, MMA fans around the globe were finally getting the fight they’d dreamed of for years. But inside them all was the nagging doubt it may turn out to be an anti-climax.

However, what we got was one of the greatest fights in the history of MMA. Former UFC 205lb champ Chuck Liddell versus former Pride 205lb champ Wanderlei Silva was scheduled for UFC 79. ‘The Iceman’ against ‘The Axe Murderer,’ the man who did more than any fighter to propel UFC into the mainstream taking on the face of Pride FC.

It was a clash that was supposed to happen in 2003, but Liddell failed to reach the final of the Pride grand prix, leaving Wanderlei to smash up ‘Rampage’ Jackson in the finale.

But when Zuffa took over Pride in March 2007, one contest stood out on the list of potential cross-promotion matchups. The way was clear for the ultimate fantasy to become reality.

By then, both were on two-fight skids, however. Liddell had lost his belt to Rampage, then dropped a decision to Keith Jardine. Whilst Silva had suffered back-to-back KOs via a Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ head kick, then at the hands of Dan Henderson. 

Yet, despite the form, the two old warriors did what they did best: they threw down a fight for the ages. 

Liddell had the best of the opener, while round two was a pure and simple war. The roof of the Mandalay Bay almost blew off as the all-time greats both got tagged in a ferocious brawl as neither took a backward step. 

Finally, the judges saw it unanimously for Liddell, but their result was irrelevant. This was a fight for the fans and they delivered their own verdict. Not surprisingly, Liddell-Silva was later awarded ‘Fight of the Year’ at the FO World MMA Awards.

Silva summed up the prevailing view talking to FO soon after, saying: “It was great. Sometimes you have big names fighting, but it’s not such a great fight. I’d rank my fight with Chuck in my top three. 

“The event with me and him was a great show… but it’s nothing personal, it’s just business. He’s nice, he’s an idol and I like to see his fights.”

LIDDELL VS SILVA PREVIEW

In the preview feature for the bout we reaffirmed an earlier prediction, stating: “When we at Fighters Only held our round-table debate back in issue 26, all three of our experts predicted Liddell would win this bout.” Chalk another one up for the good guys.

Also making headlines in Fighters Only

NICK DIAZ EXTOLS USE OF MARIJUANA

Nick Diaz, a few months removed from a six-month suspension due to testing positive for THC (the psychoactive active element in marijuana) after Pride 33, told FO: “I think (marijuana) is highly beneficial to fighters… Everybody drinks, smokes or does steroids. If you’re going to do one of the three, I think it should be smoking weed.” Today, Diaz is again suspended for testing positive for having marijuana in his system.

PRE-DREAM NYE SHOW YARENNOKA! ANNOUNCED

We reported on the announcement of Yarennoka!, the first non-Pride-related MMA New Year’s Eve spectacular in Japan for several years. The event was billed as a one-off thank you for Pride fans, but some of the officials were involved in the formation of Dream in the aftermath. Meanwhile, Fedor, then 27-1 (1 NC), armbarred seven-foot-two Korean kickboxer Hong Man Choi in the headliner.

BISPING SUFFERS FIRST DEFEAT OF HIS CAREER

Michael Bisping’s first career loss, to Rashad Evans at UFC 78 in New Jersey, featured in this issue. Writer Daniel Fletcher said of the judge’s split decision: “Though this gives us an idea of the Brit’s pluck and resilience, it also highlights Rashad’s glaring inability to convince people of his talent.”

UFC’S GUNNAR NELSON APPEARS IN TRAINING SECTION

Just less than five years prior to his successful UFC debut this past September, tipped submission sensation Gunnar Nelson was in the pages of Fighters Only. A barely 19-year-old Nelson played training partner to longtime coach Karl Tanswell, as the latter demonstrated leg locks. You really did see him here first.