Issue 082
December 2011
Who
Daniel Cormier (9-0)
Former Olympian with possibly the best wrestling in MMA.
Matt Mitrione (5-0)
Brash and brutal former NFL player that has already caused shockwaves in the UFC with his powerful fighting style and unique personality.
Shane Del Rosario (11-0)
Muay Thai standout with impressive submission skills to back it up.
Cole ‘ The Polar Bear’ Konrad (8-0)
Bellator heavyweight champion and training partner of Brock Lesnar.
Travis ‘Hapa’ Browne (11-0-1)
Exciting and agile Hawaiian heavyweight who’s only ever one punch away from ending the fight.
Phil De Fries (7-0 1 NC)
25-year-old British jiu-jitsu stand-out who’s just been signed by the UFC.
Guram Gugenishvili (11-0)
Ice-cold Georgian MMA fighter and M-1 Global heavyweight champion.
Credentials
Daniel Cormier (9-0)
A King of the Cage heavyweight champion and 2008 USA senior Freestyle Olympic team captain. Has too many wrestling medals to name.
Matt Mitrione (5-0)
Received ‘Fight of the Night’ honors for his three-round war with Joey Beltran and has numerous UFC knockouts to his name.
Shane Del Rosario (11-0)
An ongoing undefeated run in Strikeforce and the first American to ever win the WBC Muay Thai heavyweight championship.
Cole ‘ The Polar Bear’ Konrad (8-0)
Bellator Season 3 heavyweight tournament winner, Bellator heavyweight champion, 2005 Pan American gold medalist, explosive wrestler.
Travis ‘Hapa’ Browne (11-0-1)
Received ‘Knockout of the Night’ for his stunning Superman punch that put Stefan Struve to sleep. Former VFC and Gladiator heavyweight champion.
Phil De Fries (7-0 1 NC)
Very high level purple belt under Rodrigo Cobral.
Guram Gugenishvili (11-0)
Undefeated M-1 Global heavyweight champion and is already being compared to the great Fedor Emelianenko.
Career
Daniel Cormier (9-0)
After achieving a promising 9-0 record, Cormier has taken a giant leap forward by making the finals of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix.
Matt Mitrione (5-0)
After an elite showing on TUF 10, Matt proved himself to be a diamond in the rough. Since then, he’s carved himself into a formidable UFC heavyweight prospect.
Shane Del Rosario (11-0)
His frightening stand-up and relentless ground attack – he’s yet to go the distance – has inevitably landed him a spot on foreseeable Strikeforce main cards.
Cole ‘ The Polar Bear’ Konrad (8-0)
With two notable wins over Neil Grove and Paul Buentello, unless someone overcomes his impeccable wrestling he could remain a Bellator champ for years to come.
Travis ‘Hapa’ Browne (11-0-1)
Showed tenacity by coming out with a draw against Cheick Kongo in only his second UFC fight, then scored a lethal knockout against Struve.
Phil De Fries (7-0 1 NC)
After securing seven victories all by way of first-round submission on the UK scene, he is set to make a big impact in the UFC.
Guram Gugenishvili (11-0)
Has taken the Russian MMA scene by storm, 10 of his 11 wins are by first-round submission. Must step up in competition if he’s to be considered among the elite.
Must See fight
Daniel Cormier (9-0)
His destruction of former UFC title challenger Jeff Monson. Cormier used his wrestling to keep the fight standing and picked him apart with slick hand combinations.
Matt Mitrione (5-0)
His latest outing against Christian Morecraft where he knocked him out with a beautiful combination then casually walked off as if it was nothing.
Shane Del Rosario (11-0)
His rare omoplata victory over Brandon Cash at Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs Evangelista. To see it from a Muay Thai world champion was both bizarre and awesome.
Cole ‘ The Polar Bear’ Konrad (8-0)
If you can find his debut fight against Gary Hamen, Konrad won the fight via modified neck crank which Brock Lesnar aptly named the ‘polar bear’ choke.
Travis ‘Hapa’ Browne (11-0-1)
His superman punch knockout victory over Stefan Struve at UFC 130.
Phil De Fries (7-0 1 NC)
His last fight against Stav Economu was a jiu-jitsu clinic as he dominated with superior technique before ending with a trademark rear naked choke.
Guram Gugenishvili (11-0)
His fight with Maxim Grishin where he managed to unify the M-1 heavyweight titles and once again display his aggressive submission attack.
Future
Daniel Cormier (9-0)
Fights Josh Barnett in the final of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix. A win will confirm his transformation from dark horse to contender.
Matt Mitrione (5-0)
A well overdue high-profile fight faces ‘Meathead’ in the form of Cheick Kongo. Mitrione is looking to keep momentum and score the biggest win of his career.
Shane Del Rosario (11-0)
A car crash sabotaged his scheduled bout with Daniel Cormier, however, having made a full recovery he is expected to make his comeback at the end of the year.
Cole ‘ The Polar Bear’ Konrad (8-0)
Could lie outside of Bellator if he wishes to step up in competition, his solid wrestling base could pose problems for any heavyweight.
Travis ‘Hapa’ Browne (11-0-1)
Will be the favorite against many of his future UFC tests.
Phil De Fries (7-0 1 NC)
Will make his UFC debut on home soil against fellow UK prospect Oli Thompson at UFC 138 in Birmingham.
Guram Gugenishvili (11-0)
Is set to make his US debut headlining the M-1 27 fight card. He will put his title on the line against Kenny Garner, who he has already beaten via guillotine choke.
...
