Issue 071
January 2011
We know we should root for the clean-cut, hard-working guys who set the right example – but that’s not always the case. Maybe it’s a throwback to the outlaw origins of the sport, but some mixed martial artists are as feted for their misbehavior as they are for their fighting
Shinya Aoki
In Brief
Dream lightweight champion. Submission specialist and wearer of multicolored grappling tights
Career High
The shin to neck submission he pulled on Katsuhiko Nagata at Dream 4 was dubbed the Aokiplata by fans
Fought The Law
Snapped Mizuto Hirota’s arm at Dynamite!! 2009, went on to give the finger to his beaten opponent (and the crowd) enraging opinion in honor-minded Japan
The Law Won
The Hirota incident led to Aoki being sacked from his job as an instructor at the Paraestra Tokyo gym
Future
Recently wrecked Kawajiri’s ankle to stay Japan’s number one. Must defeat a name fighter to be regarded as a top world lightweight again
Nick Diaz
In Brief
Strikeforce welterweight champ, student of Cesar Gracie and outspoken marijuana legalization advocate
Career High
Robbie Lawler was shocked when the young Diaz opted to stand with him at UFC 47. Nick taunted the heavy hitter then KO’d him in the second
Fought The Law
Tested positive for THC (the active ingredient in marijuana), suggesting he was stoned during his 2007 win over Takanori Gomi. Also a key figure in some mass brawls
The Law Won
Six-month suspension and a $3,000 fine for the Gomi fight. Ninety days and $5,000 for participating in the beat down of ‘Mayhem’ Miller at the end of Strikeforce Nashville
Future
Loved by hardcore fans. With an unbeaten run stretching back to 2007, Diaz has used up the Strikeforce talent pool. Do not rule out a UFC return and a shot at GSP
Paul Daley
In Brief
The Rough House fighter is one of the deadliest strikers in MMA
Career High
Stunning first-round stoppage of Martin Kampmann on Daley’s Octagon debut at UFC 103
Fought The Law
After 15 minutes of frustration courtesy of Josh Koscheck, ‘Semtex’ sucker-punched the wrestler at the end of their UFC 113 bout
The Law Won
Dana White immediately announced that Daley would never fight for the UFC again
Future
Just like old times. After a brief spell kicking ass on the road, Paul has been snapped up by Strikeforce
War Machine
In Brief
AKA ‘Jon Koppenhaver’, The Ultimate Fighter 6 alumnus and sometime porn star’s chaotic lifestyle has generated more column inches than his fight career
Career High
The all-action third-round TKO victory over Jared ‘J-Roc’ Rollins at the TUF finale that earned him a $30,000 bonus and a contract
Fought The Law
A catalog of incidents; notably choking a guy out on the street and his one-man riot at a porn actress’ birthday party
The Law Won
Currently serving a year in San Diego Central Jail for felony assault relating to two incidents in early 2010
Future
Behind all.the craziness, War Machine is actually a decent fighter. If he can keep it together, he could have a good career ahead of him
Lee Murray
In Brief
UK MMA pioneer who famously drove a car to hospital after being stabbed through the heart
Career High
Not counting his backstreet KO of Tito Ortiz, Lee’s first-round submission victory over Jorge Rivera at UFC 46 was as good as it got
Fought The Law
UK Police revealed Lee was wanted for the £53 million Securitas raid of 2006 – the biggest cash robbery in UK history. They couldn’t extradite him from Morocco
The Law Won
Lee is currently serving ten years in prison in Morocco after being found guilty of charges related to the Securitas robbery
Future
A movie based on the life of ‘Lightning’ Lee is in the works
Lyle Beerbohm
In Brief
With 12 stoppage wins on his record, the unbeaten Beerbohm is a rising star
Career High
His elbow-heavy destruction of Josh Martin last year was a ground ‘n’ pound master class
Fought The Law
Beerbohm fell into a life of crime during six years of addiction to crystal meth
The Law Won
A string of convictions led to a prison sentence. While in the clink, Lyle saw The Ultimate Fighter on TV and decided getting paid for fighting was the way forward
Future
The man they call ‘Fancy Pants’ has shown he has the power to be a player in Strikeforce’s 155lb division
Aleksander Emelianenko
In Brief
The brother of Fedor has impeccable hard-man credentials. Has some of the heaviest hands in the business and is reputed to have hunted and killed a wild bear with a knife
Career High
The fist and knee storm that ended his war with Sergei Kharitonov at Pride Final Conflict Absolute
Fought The Law
Aleksander’s elaborate tattoos feature designs that are associated with the criminal underworld in Russia
The Law Won
Served three and a half years of a five-year prison sentence for robbery
Future
He has not lost for three years, but his record is missing big names as licensing difficulties have prevented him from fighting in the United States
