Issue 087

April 2012

Things we hear, things we see, things we know.

Alistair Overeem in your pocket

Ever found yourself wanting to slam the skull of a virtual model of UFC heavyweight number-one contender Alistair Overeem into a dumpster? Now you can, thanks to Fight Game Heroes exclusive to the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play cell phone. Fans can battle Overeem – as well as his former Golden Glory partners Sergei Kharitonov, Semmy Schilt and Gokhan Saki – in the beat ’em up title across multiple interactive street environments. ‘Fight Game’ is also the name of Golden Glory’s clothing line. Xperia Play owners can download the game for free from the Android Marketplace. 

Medical insurance available to fighters

A Tennessee-based insurance company is offering medical coverage to MMA fighters. No longer just the exclusive domain of those competing under the Zuffa banner, for $25 a month a combat sports practitioner can take out an insurance plan from Combat Sports Insurance. Training or competition accidents such as dislocations, fractures and concussions are all covered, as well as life insurance of $100,000. The policy is available to fighters of any nationality, however, they must sign the plan on US soil.

Dana White 'guarantees' MMA will be legal in New York in 2012

UFC president Dana White has guaranteed fight fans in the Big Apple that mixed martial arts will be legalized in the state this year. The 2011 FO World MMA Awards ‘Leading Man of the Year’ told Fox Sports radio: “We’re so close. It’s going to happen. I guarantee you it’s going to happen this year.” At the time of going to press, the UFC’s lawsuit alleging the State of New York’s ban on professional MMA abridges fighters’ freedom of speech had not been resolved. Legalization of mixed martial arts in the New York market would likely have a global impact, by creating greater interest in the sport in American and international mainstream media. 

Future UFC signees to undergo drug testing

All potential UFC and Strikeforce fighters will have to pass a drugs test prior to being signed by either organization in accordance with a new mandate from owner Zuffa. This comes in addition to drugs screening already undertaken by governing bodies in various states and countries as well as by the UFC itself. UFC President Dana White said: “We’ve seen the issues performance-enhancing drugs have caused in other sports and we’re going to do everything we can to keep them out of the UFC and Strikeforce.”