Issue 075
May 2011
When Anthony Pettis threw his off-the-wall Matrix kick at WEC 53, the Internet went into overdrive and a new star was born. This wasn’t the first time that a thrilling moment of individual creativity has catapulted a fighter to stardom…
In Brief
Anderson Silva
UFC middleweight champion and future Hall of Famer
Quinton Jackson
By way of Pride, the UFC and The A-Team, he is one of the biggest names in the sport
Toby Imada
Judo black belt. Two-time Bellator lightweight tournament finalist
Shonie Carter
Former WEC welterweight champ. A veteran with a ‘have gloves, will travel’ approach to the game
Shinya Aoki
Japanese MMA superstar. Black belt in judo and jiu-jitsu
Yves Edwards
Bahamian fighting out of Houston. Developed his own style: ‘thug-jitsu’
Royce Gracie
The member of the Gracie clan chosen to bring jiu-jitsu to the masses
Known for
Anderson Silva
Outstanding Muay Thai and eccentric approach
Quinton Jackson
Muscular boxing backed by formidable wrestling
Toby Imada
Submission specialist
Shonie Carter
Sartorial elegance outside the cage, ‘Mr International’ Speedos inside it
Shinya Aoki
Crazy, multicolored magic pants and off-the-wall submissions
Yves Edwards
‘The Texas Gunslinger’ is a true all rounder, marrying flashy stand-up to an aggressive submission game
Royce Gracie
Wearing a gi, eating bananas and changing the world forever
Build-Up
Anderson Silva
Pride veteran Silva was beating up Tony Fryklund in the first round at Cage Rage.16
Quinton Jackson
At Pride Critical Countdown 2004, Ricardo Arona was looking to snare ‘Rampage’ in a triangle choke
Toby Imada
The 2009 Bellator semi-final. Imada was marked up after taking hard shots from the fancied Jorge Masvidal
Shonie Carter
At UFC 31 in 2001, Matt Serra dominated Carter, giving him a three-round jiu-jitsu lesson
Shinya Aoki
In total control at Dream 4, Aoki mounted Katsuhiko Nagata
Yves Edwards
At UFC 49, Josh Thomson pushed the pace in the first round of the clash between the two leading lightweight contenders
Royce Gracie
At UFC 1, Royce had already clocked up two wins to earn the right to face Gerard Gordeau in the tournament final
Defining Moment
Anderson Silva
‘The Spider’ crouched slightly then delivered a precise reverse elbow to KO Fryklund
Quinton Jackson
Jackson stood up, lifted his opponent up above his head then power bombed him to the canvas. Arona was knocked out on impact
Toby Imada
Masvidal picked Imada up who then caught Masvidal in an incredible, upside down, reverse triangle and choked him unconscious
Shonie Carter
With ten seconds left, Shonie snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by producing a spinning backfist KO that would grace highlight reels for the next decade
Shinya Aoki
Out of nowhere, Aoki opted to go for a variation of a gogoplata from top position. No one knew what to call it. The ‘Aokiplata’ was born
Yves Edwards
In the most thrilling nanosecond in MMA history, Josh threw a backfist and Yves countered with a flying head kick. Both fell down but only Edwards got up
Royce Gracie
He slapped a rear-naked choke on the Dutchman and claimed the inaugural UFC title. Those expecting to see a stand-up fight were unsure of what they had witnessed
Aftermath
Anderson Silva
Silva was snapped up by the UFC and destroyed Chris Leben in his next fight. He is yet to taste defeat on the big show
Quinton Jackson
A star with Pride, Rampage later left his adoring Oriental fans to return stateside, ended the Chuck Liddell era, and remains a leading contender at 205lb
Toby Imada
The video went viral and Toby picked up ‘Submission of the Year’ honors at the 2009 World MMA Awards
Shonie Carter
He fought Serra again in TUF season 4, landed another backfist but lost a decision. Last November, Shonie announced his retirement after an 83-fight career
Shinya Aoki
Aoki established himself as the darling of the Japanese MMA fans
Yves Edwards
Yves turned ronin when the UFC scrapped the 155lb’ers. Recently made a welcome return to the Octagon, beating TUF 12 stand-out Cody McKenzie
Royce Gracie
The ultimate game changer, Royce inspired a generation of martial artists to get a ground game. His exploits fueled the rise of the UFC and the sport of MMA
