Fighters Only

Issue 089

June 2012

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. [email protected]

THE FUTURE MMA STARS

One of my sons Brandon ‘The Future’ Huerta holds a red/black belt in taekwondo from House of Pain, a yellow in BJJ from Action MMA, a white belt in judo, 14 months of MMA training at Action MMA and just took second in rookie state for wrestling for BVYA (Buffalo Valley Youth Wrestling). The picture on the right above, was from the UFC grappling expo, where he took gold in no-gi and bronze in gi. Brandon also competed in the Junior Olympics bringing home second place from New Orleans in TKD.

All my sons are medal winners (from left to right): bronze medal, Joe (9); gold medal, Seth (5); bronze medal (jiu-jitsu Abu Dhabi tournament), Jerry (13); and silver medal wrestling Brandon (11).

Joe Huerta, via email

HURT BUSINESS

Just wanted to say what a great read your feature on how hard sparring might be ruining MMA was (‘Iron Sharpens Iron... Or It Breaks,’ May 2012). It got me thinking – which, if you ask people who know me, is quite the feat.

I think the real problem is us, the fans. These fighters are pulling out of fights with injuries because they can’t be at their peak to fight in front of us fans, who demand, every single time, that those warriors give us a finish or at the very least a ‘show.’ Commonly we seem to think that’s a stand-up war, which isn’t going to do a fighter’s chances of not receiving a concussion any good.

In turn, the quantity of these injuries is going up because guys are pushing themselves in the gym to get in the best shape so they can put on the best show. Again, for the fans. I’m not saying we start booing exciting fights to try and counteract the fighters’ way of thinking, but perhaps, when a guy loses in mediocre fashion, we don’t trash them personally on Twitter, or we don’t shout, ‘You suck!’ as they trudge back to the locker rooms so losing mightn’t be so bad.

Does every show have to be ‘epic’? Don’t get me wrong, I love the natural drama that results from mixed martial arts bouts, but forcing that through a Colosseum-type culture that is at the expense of a man or woman’s long-term well being, isn’t the way to do it.

Drew Ficklen, via email

FIGHTERS’ TWEETS

SEAN SELBY (@SEANSELBY)

If there was ever kid to be put on one of those goofy child leashes it’s Carl from The Walking Dead.

BRAD TAVARES (@BRADTAVARES)

This season of #americanidol is one of the best I’ve watched. The talent pool is DEEP!!

CHIRS LEBEN (@CRIPPLERUFC)

What’s up everyone im back, cleaned up my act and you’ll be hearing from me regularly.

DEREK BRUNSON (@DEREKBRUNSONMMA)

I put a tweet about “yolo” and Twitter goes crazy. 100 rts in 10 minutes ... #MindControl

JOSH BARNETT (@JOSHLBARNETT)

Hey Hunger Games. If you were of age, aka rated R, I might be interested in you. Have fun in Junior High and say hello to Twilight.

The posts that caught our eye this month in the online world of Fighters Only

@BrianMakas: @FightersOnly After Diaz & now Edgar I half want to see @UFC overtime, sounds crazy but imagine @NHL, @NFL or @NBA games decided by opinion.

@36Johns: @FightersOnly Just watched the Ultimate Fighter 15 good start #teamcruz and #teamfaber awesome!

@RosieCuppaTea: Perfect Sunday reading @FightersOnly magazine and eating cupcakes. Better make sure I don’t drop any frosting on it!

@DTStronge: @FightersOnly half way through my first copy and think I need to subscribe!

@Joel_Boland: @FightersOnly @RondaRousey is like a younger, more female, better looking version of Royce Gracie, submitting everyone in her way! #MMAStar

@PaulTHadow: Just won the bantam and featherweight titles with @UrijahFaber in UFC 3 Undisputed. Total UFC domination...@FightersOnly

GALLERY

I’m a huge fan of MMA and have made this drawing showing two great characters, Junior Dos Santos and Alistair Overeem. I also gave Overeem a Transformers tattoo, as he did a great job transforming his body and mind to make a run for the UFC heavyweight belt.

Tomasz Wojtyna, via email

I had the pleasure of going to my first live UFC event in Japan in February and the whole trip did not disappoint! We stayed at the host hotel, attended the press conference, weigh-ins and live event. After his fight, Ryan Bader took the time to say hi and take this photo. I met Roy Nelson in the hotel lobby before the event, and got a photo with Georges St Pierre too.

Drew Ficklen, via email