Issue 067
November 2010
Conventional wisdom held that MMA had made traditional martial arts obsolete. But the wave of elite fighters below has shown detractors the folly of their ways...
Lyoto Machida
BACKGROUND: His father Yoshizo is a master of Shotokan karate. Lyoto began training in the art as a toddler and progressed to black belt level.
INFLUENCE ON STYLE: Impossible to mention Machida without using the term ‘elusive’. Built his game on the ability to get in and out quickly, punishing opponents with crisp punches
HIGHS: Looked invincible on his run to the 205lb title. Took the strap after wrecking Rashad Evans at UFC 98.
LOWS: Fortunate to retain his belt after Shogun leg-kicked him to a standstill at UFC 104. In the rematch, Machida was KO’d in the first round.
FUTURE PROSPECTS: Still a top contender. Certain to figure in matches against the very best in the light heavyweight division.
Cung Le
BACKGROUND: An exponent of san shou, a Chinese hybrid of kickboxing and wrestling
INFLUENCE ON STYLE: Cung Le throws sidekicks and spectacular spinning back-kicks that would look at home on a movie set.
HIGHS: In the battle of San Jose natives, Le pummeled Frank Shamrock. Shamrock was forced to retire when a vicious kick broke his arm.
LOWS: Was in complete control against Scott Smith at Strikeforce: Evolution, but ate a ‘Hail Mary’ left hook that snapped his unbeaten run.
FUTURE PROSPECTS: He appears to be more interested in furthering his acting career rather than testing himself in Strikeforce’s competitive middleweight division.
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Karo Parisyan
BACKGROUND: Trained in judo from the age of nine. Won a string of national titles and tried out for the 2004 Olympics.
INFLUENCE ON STYLE: Successfully demonstrated that techniques such as hip and shoulder throws can be integrated into MMA.
HIGHS: Became one of the top dogs in the UFC welterweight division, clocking up wins over Matt Serra, Chris Lytle and Nick Diaz.
LOWS: Karo tested positive for painkillers after fighting Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 94. Bizarrely pulled out of a bout at UFC 106 with Dustin Hazelett on short notice.
FUTURE PROSPECTS: Returned to action with Impact FC in Australia with a win and recently regained employment with the UFC.
Demian Maia
BACKGROUND: Studied judo, karate and kung fu as a youngster. Took up Brazilian jiu-jitsu in his teens and became a world champion.
INFLUENCE ON STYLE: Has publicly stated he wants to show the effectiveness of the gentle art. Maia strives to out-think his opponent and win without inflicting damage.
HIGHS: Four ‘Submission of the Night’ awards, including his stunning triangle victory over Chael Sonnen at UFC 95.
LOWS: Nate Marquardt exposed the holes in Maia’s stand-up game, taking him out in 21 seconds at UFC 102.
FUTURE PROSPECTS: No one could stomach a replay of Maia vs Anderson Silva. If ‘The Spider’ moves up to 205lb, Demian could find himself back in the title picture.
Yoshihiro Akiyama
BACKGROUND: Akiyama was a decorated judoka, taking gold at the Asian Games. Is often mistaken for an Olympian, but he never competed in the international event.
INFLUENCE ON STYLE: As well as his entrances, complete with gi and ceremonial bow, Akiyama brings some nifty takedowns to the cage.
HIGHS: A first-round victory over Melvin Manhoef by way of armbar saw ‘Sexyama’ win the K-1 HERO’s light heavyweight tournament in October 2006.
LOWS: His recent defeat by late replacement Chris Leben derailed Akiyama’s hopes of a run at the UFC 185lb title.
FUTURE PROSPECTS: Akiyama has the skills and sex appeal to be a megastar, but runs out of gas under pressure. His lack of stamina puts a huge question mark next to his name.
Dan Hardy
BACKGROUND: Inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, he began training in taekwondo at the age of six. Spent time at a Shaolin temple practicing kung fu.
INFLUENCE ON STYLE: Very difficult to hit. Has successfully combined the nimble footwork of a points fighter with the solid stance required to produce hurtful shots.
HIGHS: Beat up Mike Swick at UFC 105 to earn a shot at the welterweight belt.
LOWS: A controversial DQ against Yoshiyuki Yoshida in the Cage Force welterweight tournament final. The 2007 loss was his only defeat in 13 contests before his fight with GSP.
FUTURE PROSPECTS: Hardy has time on his side and is still improving. He looks set to be one of the leading 170lb fighters for the next few years.
Georges St Pierre
BACKGROUND: Started kyokushin karate at the age of seven to defend himself against school bullies. Only moved into MMA after his karate teacher died.
INFLUENCE ON STYLE: GSP is possibly the perfect fighter, but it is the ethical teachings of the martial arts that have shaped him the most – namely discipline, respect and humility.
HIGHS: Steamrollering his way through every challenger, GSP’s position as the top welterweight in the world was honored by fans when they voted him the 2009 Fighter of the Year.
LOWS: His April 2007 shock loss to underdog Matt Serra was his darkest hour, but also proved to be one of his greatest defining moments; he’s been unstoppable ever since.
FUTURE PROSPECTS: The title firmly around his waist, GSP’s future is less about what else he can achieve and more how far he can take his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
