Issue 092

September 2012

The sport’s strangest stories from around the globe

MOSCOW, RUSSIA

FEDOR SHOWS EMOTION FOR CAR COMMERCIAL

New video evidence suggests newly retired Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko showed emotion some time earlier this year. The incident occurred when the former Pride FC heavyweight champion – beloved by FO for his heroic, steely and stoic expression everpresent in victory or loss – was filmed for a Mercedes Benz commercial shown in his home country, but now available worldwide on the information superhighway, or internet as it’s known to some.

During the advert, Fedor, who appears alongside other Russian sports stars, is videoed wrapping his hands and later walking down a red carpet in a tuxedo where he lets out a brief wry smile fortunately captured by the primary camera crew. Fans have long debated whether the 33-4 (1 NC) ‘Last Emperor’ was indeed human or cyborg – this footage seems to confirm the former. More details as we get them. 

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND

OXFORD vs CAMBRIDGE RIVALRY EXTENDING TO CAGE?

It appears students at the prestigious, world-renowned Cambridge University are no longer content with trying to better their intercollegiate rivals, Oxford University, in petty competitions such as boat races. Cambridge University’s Mixed Martial Arts Society has announced its intent to arrange an annual fight card where its student competitors battle those of Oxford. However, Cambridge has been left hanging by their longstanding adversaries who do not yet have a counterpart society. And there’s red tape and for a potential group to endure, such as three years of varsity matches and affiliation with a currently non-existent British governing body. For now, it’s back to the Thames.

UFC POISED TO ANNOUNCE SOUTH AFRICAN TV DEAL

UFC president Dana White has indicated the Las Vegas promotion is close to getting a TV deal to broadcast its events in South Africa. Home-grown promotion EFC Africa is currently the dominant brand in the country, and its stars enjoy a far higher profile than most if not all UFC competitors. White told MMA Junkie: “Mixed martial arts is huge in South Africa right now. There’s a show down there now that I just heard about that’s doing [1.2 million] viewers every time it’s on. The sport is booming all over the world, and South Africa is next. That’s where we’re going.”

JEWELS AND INVICTA FC FORM CROSS-PACIFIC AGREEMENT

Japanese all-female promotion Jewels and American girl-only organization Invicta FC have signed a talent-sharing agreement that will see each brand’s fighters compete in the opposite promotion. Jewels president Yuichi Ozono said in a statement: “We are excited to be able to collaborate and cooperate with Invicta Fighting Championships to achieve our common goal, which is to promote the appeal of women’s mixed martial arts.” The first to make the jump were Jewels competitors Akaya Hamasaki and Hitomi Akano who agreed to compete at

Invicta FC 2 in July. 

12

Nick Diaz was suspended 12 months and fined 30% of his fight purse after testing positive for marijuana metabolites after his UFC 143 bout with Carlos Condit.

13

Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva’s UFC 146 forehead gash, courtesy of Cain Velasquez, needed 13 stitches to repair.