Fighters Only

Issue 097

January 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.

WHY FIGHTING IS RIGHT

I’m an architect from South Africa, I’m 42 years of age, and I occasionally train with my local MMA club. So far I’ve had one amateur fight – that I unfortunately lost – but the reason I’m writing to you is to share an answer to a question I’m frequently asked. My friends and family always want to know why I would want to get into a cage with ‘a hooligan’ just to get bashed around?

This is my reason: there are two kinds of fighters. There are winners and there are losers. Winners look forward to the next fight regardless of whether they win or lose. Losers never last regardless of whether they win or lose.

I fight because it makes me feel good about who I am. Hopefully, it’s against a winner because losers always feel beaten. A winning fight is to get into a cage with another man with his own desires, to find out what you are made of.

Philip Van Schalkwyk, via email

UNDER SIEGE

Did Steven Seagal really wait until ‘Judo’ Gene LeBell was 80 years old to trash him? He’s always been a classless bum. No matter; Ronda Rousey can give new meaning to the term ‘mixed martial arts’ by meeting him in a UFC event. The last time I saw Seagal at his photo-op with Anderson Silva he looked so fat he’d have trouble getting into the cage. He’ll soon find that movie fame and a black belt aren’t quite the same as professional fighting. Failing this matchup, maybe he’d consider taking on Tito Ortiz on the senior’s circuit. I would love to see that fight.

Jerry Davis, via email

ARE YOU SPARTACUS?

Fighters Only, I’ve got a question for your readership. I was sitting watching UFC 153 and wondered if I was a bit of a freak. I have a ritual every time I watch a UFC event, which involves getting in a chicken pizza, a big bottle of Czech beer, and a copy of FO. The pizza and beer are obviously to satisfy my hunger and thirst, and the magazine is to occupy myself if there’s ever a boring fight or the walkouts are taking too long. I have to do it – every time. If I don’t it just doesn’t feel right.

I asked a friend who usually watches the fights what he does, but he doesn’t do anything, which, set in motion the wheels for making me wonder if I was a bit odd. So I thought I’d use the FO Inbox to find out if there’s anyone else out there who has a fight night ritual?

Tom Marchand, via email

READER TWEETS

@eat_sleep_mma: @THFEmag @FightersOnly Great sub deal - just tapped and ordered my subcription for both mags!

@AndyHaddon1: @FightersOnly love the new size mag, maybe a smaller mag but still packed out with articles love it

@MMAKELLY: @FightersOnly Beautiful photography of Tito Ortiz on cover..

@ChrisTurner31: Boxing dont have the same buzz for me anymore. Overpaid sluggers, MMA is a complete different sport but the future. #mma @ufc @FightersOnly

@Cory_McFall: I voted where it counts america.... Fighters Only Awards 2012 - Vote (#FOawards2012)

FIGHTERS' FAVORITE TWEETS

@MieshaTate

Twitter > Facebook

@KruPhilNurse

My heart and prayers are with everyone who is being affected by hurricane sandy.

@joerogan

Now that Obama is reelected and Colorado and Washington have legal weed it’s time for Barry to spark one up and tell us about the aliens.

@ToquinhoMMA

I’m very happy to be nominated for the 2012 World MMA Awards of the

@FightersOnly this is a recognition of the hard work on my 24/7!

@FOawards