Fighters Only

Issue 104

August 2013

This is your page to tell us what you think of all things Fighters Only and MMA. Get your feelings off your chest where it really matters – in print! Send us your best pictures with your favorite fighters, or copies of FO, and we’ll print them too.

SATURATION POINT

The UFC might be even smarter than everyone gives it credit for. There’s all this complaining about there being too many UFC events on these days – sometimes as many as four a month. To be honest, it does make it pretty hard to follow and completely ends up undermining the product when huge title fights are practically forgotten about (Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez). But it performs one very critical function for the UFC: it completely overwhelms the competition.

By saturating the calendar with UFC events it makes it very hard for a rival company to generate enough interest to make their card a success. While UFC talk might not spike how it used to around events, there’s a constant murmur at all times. Which preoccupies fans’ minds and media outlets’ headlines. How can a mid-size organization find a free weekend without a UFC card, let alone put together a successful series of events with those types of obstacles?

I can’t say I’m overly bothered; frankly it’s probably actually a hindrance to the sport to have well regarded fighters locked up in different promotions. It’s been quite nice of late with everyone of note being in the UFC and able to fight one another. Can’t say I really want to go back.

Jack Giles, via email

FOX LADY

What a mess this entire Fallon Fox thing has turned out to be. I fully agree there’s a welfare issue in terms of her opponents, but couldn’t we all be a little more sensible about this? It wasn’t right that she go and fight natural females without disclosing she used to be a he, due to any potentially unfair physiological advantages, but everyone could have been a bit more responsible. The media could have been more measured, fighters could have been a little less scathing in some instances, and Fallon herself could have been more sensible and instead of just fighting because she wants to, actually discover whether she does have any unfair advantages. Surely that’s the right thing to do? Why are we all just fumbling through this situation, waiting for it to work itself out? It might not.

Greg Szalowski, via email

GALLERY

Very cool meeting the legend Ken Shamrock at the last UFC Fan Expo. Personable, friendly guy and still in incredible shape. He looked primed to climb into the cage anytime. Thanks for the best MMA magazine out there.

Michael Hatch, Arnold, MO, USA

READER TWEETS

@Bereeezy_Brill: Jose Aldo vs Anthony Pettis has fight of year written all over it. Gna be one of best striking display ever. Can’t wait #ufc #mma #mma4life

@Bby_Gisselle: Cant wait for UFC 163, jose aldo vs anthony pettis should be gooood

@RandyRotta: I’m pretty sure I’m stopping by @JacksonsMMA tomorrow on my road trip through NM. Hope that’s cool with them! #MMA

@ShempLabs: I’m watching @brucebuffer doing the intros of @UFCTonight and my daughter says, “That’s Bruce... Banner, right?”

@smFISHMAN: Chael Sonnen could have used a CM Punk run-in. #ufc159 #WWE

FIGHT TWEETS

@bisping

Game of thrones time. I want some dragon action!

@HerbDeanMMA

One of my many responsibilities on fight night. Making sure @brucebuffer has a straight tie

@TheNotoriousMMA

14 weeks today until Boston!!! That’s a long time away

@ChrisWeidmanUFC