Issue 081
November 2011
FEDOR NO LONGER WITH STRIKEFORCE
Strikeforce has ended its relationship with former debated pound-for-pound king Fedor Emelianenko. The Russian heavyweight’s agreement with the Californian promotion ended after his bout with Dan Henderson in July, a first-round TKO loss, and was not renewed. However, Emelianenko’s management, M-1 Global, stated they have a separate agreement with television network Showtime for Fedor’s services, on which
there is one fight remaining. M-1 Global head Vadim Finkelstein said Fedor’s next fight with be in Russia, followed by another in Japan on New Year’s Eve. He said: “Fedor needs to have two fights so he can taste winning again, and then return to the USA for payback time.”
GOLDEN GLORY SEEKS RESOLUTION TO ZUFFA ISSUES
Despite the release of Golden Glory fighters Alistair Overeem, Marloes Coenen, Valentijn Overeem and Jon Olav Einemo by Zuffa, the fight camp’s manager is still open to working out a deal with the American company. The latter three had been released due to a dispute over payment practices and Alistair Overeem because of his uncooperation surrounding an appearance in the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix semi-final. In an email sent to Fighters Only, Golden Glory boss Bas Boon contended he had no problem with the Zuffa’s preferred payment procedures and said it was all a misunderstanding. Boon said: “We would like to keep working in the future with the UFC and with this statement I clearly say that direct payment to any of our fighter was not a problem and will not be a problem in the future.” At press time all fighters were free agents.
MATT HAMILL RETIRES FROM MMA
UFC light heavyweight mainstay Matt Hamill has retired from mixed martial arts. His announcement came after the 34-year-old fell to his second loss in a row at UFC 133, a TKO at the hands of Alexander Gustafsson. “I just don’t have it in me to fight anymore and my last two performances have shown that,” said Hamill in a statement. “I was ready to make this decision after UFC 130 but my friends, family coaches and, most importantly, my daughter encouraged me to give it one last chance.” He added: “The UFC has become family to me and I hope to be involved with the number-one mixed martial arts organization in the world as a coach, ambassador and fan for a long time to come.” Hamill was 9-4 in the UFC, 10-4 overall, with prior losses to ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Rich Franklin and Michael Bisping.
SIX DEGREES OF DAN SEVERN
Linking the legendary moustache-wearing UFC Hall of Famer to any
fighter in six people or less.
Rory MacDonald
1. Dan Severn decisioned future UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin in the Georgian’s pro debut in 2001.
2. Forrest Griffin has been cornered in the UFC by, and trained at Xtreme Couture alongside, Mike ‘Quicksand’ Pyle.
3. Mike Pyle was finished by the ground ‘n’ pound of Rory MacDonald at UFC 133 earlier this year.
61%
As of August, US-born fighters accounted for around 61% of the UFC roster
12
An extra 1,000 tickets released for UFC 134 in Rio were snapped up in just 12 minutes of going on sale
...
