Issue 107

November 2013

The sport’s strangest stories from around the globe.

MAN OUTDOES ALL OF MANKIND WITH MANLY MMA MAN CAVE FOR MEN

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Public service announcement: anyone attempting to build the world’s best MMA-themed man cave should cease immediately on account of the achievement already having been attained.

With a little help from some friends, a man living in British Columbia, Canada, has constructed the ‘ultimate’ UFC man cave. Called The UFC Cave of MMAn, it’s essentially a spacious living room decked out with all the paraphernalia you could and couldn’t imagine. All of which the owner has chronicled in a YouTube video.

We’re talking an Octagon-themed bar, fight-worn equipment and TUF gym-style writing above door arches. There are signed merchandise like shirts, magazines and posters, as well as walls covered in UFC figurines. And, of course, he’s installed a massive HD television and seven-seat sofa (presumably with capacity for eight to keep the theme) to view it from.

And if all that — as well as an Octagon-shaped patio with chain-link fencing out the back — weren’t enough, the man cave’s centerpiece must be the official Octagon canvas from UFC 127 (complete with Chris Lytle’s blood), which has now been put to use, somewhat unceremoniously, as a rug.

The level of work required to pull off a man cave of this detail and care must have taken a remarkable amount of dedication and effort over the three years needed to piece it together. And, for that, we applaud you, UFC Cave of MMAn creators. Everyone else, back to the drawing board.

AZERBAIJANI WRESTLER DOES DANCIEST CELEBRATION EVER

 KAZAN, RUSSIA

Fred Astaire, Michael Flatley, Chuck Liddell: all have proven themselves fantastic dancers. But they cannot hold a light to the beautifully fleet feet of Azerbaijani wrestler Rasul Chunayev.

Having just won the 66kg gold medal match at the Summer 2013 World University Games in Russia in July, Chunayaev leapt from the mat and let out an intricate, folk-inspired prance complete with Riverdance-like toe tapping and all kinds of other marvelousness simply too marvelous to describe.

But he didn’t just bless the biennial competition (also known as the Universiade) with just one victory boogie. Oh no, he gave them another – deciding to drop an unorthodox cross-footed heel-rolling something-or-other as a finisher.

But just as impressive as what he did was how he did it: performing with more passion and conviction than a Heath Herring stare-down kiss. Which isn’t actually saying a lot.

Chunayev’s dance lasted just 12 seconds, but in our hearts it will go on for eternity.

17

To mark Chris Weidman’s winning of the UFC middleweight title, by knocking out Anderson Silva at UFC 162, New York’s Nassau County, where Weidman resides, declared July 17th ‘Chris Weidman Day.’

4

‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung is the only Korean fighter to have fought in the fourth round of two UFC bouts. Once against Dustin Poirier (2012) and José Aldo (2013).

MILITARY SERVICE DONE, KOREA’S A SOL KWON CONSIDERS BREAKING RETIREMENT

Outspoken Korean fighter A Sol Kwon (16-7) may be returning to mixed martial arts following his compulsory military service. Kwon had announced his retirement from mixed martial arts prior to his enlistment in October 2011.

The former One FC, Sengoku and K-1 Hero’s lightweight was well known in and out of Asian mixed martial arts for his penchant for trash talk and frank speech, traits not commonly seen in Asian mixed martial artists.

After 21 months in the South Korean military he concluded his service in July of this year, and, despite initially not wanting to return to MMA, is considering a comeback.

Kwon told a Korean news source: “I am not a young guy anymore. I don’t know if my body moves the way it used to. I need to start training before I make my decision.”

The 28-year-old added: “I had a lot of pressure as a solider, but now I feel free. I feel I became more of an adult because of the army.”

Kwon last competed on the inaugural One FC card in Singapore. Fighting to a decision loss against Eduard Folayang. The defeat broke a six-fight win streak for the heavy-handed brawler.