Fighters Only

Issue 064

July 2010

A grand total of 41 people were counted inside the cage after Jake Shields beat Dan Henderson at Strikeforce Nashville. While Jake was being interviewed, Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller approached asking about a rematch, and you just don’t roll up on Jake with the Diaz boys around...

The ugly brawl resulted in six of those 41 people receiving complaints from the Tennessee Athletic Commission, including Gilbert Melendez, Jake Shields, and Nick Diaz, all Strikeforce belt holders in their respective weight classes.

Win number 11 for Pat Curran came at Bellator FC 17 in Boston, Massachusetts, the state’s first nationally televised MMA event. It was big for Curran as it came against former UFC star Roger Huerta, who dropped to 21-4-1 and just 1-3 in his last four fights.

After landing only half as many strikes in round one (20-10), Matt Mitrione turned it around on Kimbo by delivering a total of 54 shots in round two of the heavyweight affair at UFC 113. Kimbo was only able to hit Mitrione four times in the second frame before the fight was halted and Mitrione’s hand was raised.

Paul Daley was able to land just 16 strikes on Josh Koscheck in their welterweight tilt at UFC 113. That was pretty unfortunate for Daley, especially when you consider that the last strike came about five seconds after the final bell and earned Daley his walking papers from the UFC. Koscheck didn’t win any fans either with his reaction to the knee that apparently missed, or his comments after the scrap.

Jeremy Stephens and Sam Stout put on quite a fight at UFC 113 in Montreal. In all, Stephens landed 93 strikes while Stout connected 92 times. Stephens earned the split decision in what turned out to be the Fight of the Night.

270K

Alan Belcher has now won a cool $270,000 in ‘of the night’ bonuses in his last four outings. The latest came at UFC 113, a submission of the night due to a rear naked choke of Patrick Cote. ‘The Talent’ is 3-1 during the stretch with two submission of the nights and two fight of the nights.

Just seven weeks prior to his light heavyweight title fight with Lyoto Machida at UFC 113, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua had an emergency appendectomy. Depending on the severity, recovery time can stretch to eight weeks. Obviously Rua didn’t need that long as he dropped the champ Machida in the first round to take the title.

After the loss, Machida received a 60-day medical suspension from the Quebec Athletic Commission. On the bright side, if needed he can have his appendix removed and return by the end of the suspension.

THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF RANDY COUTURE

Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture is one of the most popular fighters in the sport of MMA. An inspirational figure who has battled the odds to become one of the sport’s most legendary figures, his 18-10-0 career has had its ups and downs but his popularity with the fans has never taken a dent.

1997

Makes MMA debut at 34 years of age and wins the UFC 13 tournament – claims the UFC heavyweight title in only his fourth MMA fight.

1998

Leaves the UFC in a dispute over money and goes to fight in Japan. Loses to Enson Inoue via submission.

2000

Returns to the UFC and defeats Kevin Randleman by TKO to regain the UFC heavyweight title.

2001

Stumbles with a loss in Rings to Valentijn Overeem but rebounds with back-to-back wins over Pedro Rizzo.

2002

Loses to Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez, both by TKO.

2003

Drops to 205lb and beats Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, becoming undisputed light heavyweight champ, the first man to become a UFC champ in two weight classes.

2004

Suffers a freak cut to Vitor Belfort and loses the title by TKO. Smashes Belfort to defeat seven months later.

2006

Suffers second KO loss to Liddell in two years. Announces retirement from the sport.

2007

Returns 13 months after retiring to take Tim Sylvia's heavyweight title. Locks horns with the UFC over pay, enters lengthy legal battle while seeking a fight with Fedor in Affliction.