Issue 044
December 2008
With so much MMA action happening around the world, we break down the outstanding performances from the month of October.
Hairdos of the month
Chris Leben and Sokoudjou
Sporting a rather unusually patterned array of neat cornrows, Chris Leben certainly turned heads with his hairdo, while ‘Predator’ look-alike Sokoudjou’s flying dreads were as spectacular as ever, but like Samson in reverse, the long hair helped neither fighter, as both walked away from their fights in defeat.
Stand-up fight of the month
Chris Lytle vs Paul ‘Relentless’ Taylor
It was UFC 89’s Fight of the Night, and it’s easy to see why. Lytle and Taylor let it all hang out for the fifteen minutes, throwing everything they could at each other. Taylor, living up to his name, threw three or four shots for every one of Lytle’s, yet Lytle moved forward behind big bombs and tried to cut off the cage. The decision was unanimous in Lytle’s favour, but Taylor gave another rousing performance and picked up his third ‘fight of the night’.
Disappointment of the month
Brandon Vera
The flippant answer would be Kimbo of course, but let’s be honest, it was just a matter of time before the bearded brawler fell, right? Vera is a different case altogether – smart, athletic, technically proficient and seemingly destined for big things, he has disappointed in his last few fights and his fight with Keith Jardine was no different. Jardine is a spoiler fighter for sure, but even still, there were none of the fireworks promised from Vera, and once again fans and the UFC promoters alike are left wondering, ‘What next for Brandon Vera?’
Sponsor of the month
Hayato Sakurai
Japanese MMA fighters have been known to advertise everything from movies to shaving cream and razor blades to clothes, but Hayato Sakurai caught our attention with the Metallica logo on his shorts. We don’t care if he’s a fan or not – you rock Hayato!
Female fight of the month
Gina Carano vs Kelly Kobald
Proving once again she has got the skills to pay the bills, Carano avoided the grappling game of self-confessed ‘brick shithouse’ Kobald and laid a trademark beating on her. Kobald did her best to clinch and avoid the stand-up, but Carano opened up in the later rounds and showed once again she ain’t just a pretty face.
KO of the month
Benji Radach vs Ninja Rua
It was brutal and dramatic (moments earlier, Radach had been on the verge of going to sleep). They swung for each other like they were literally trying to take each other’s heads off, and their brief yet violent encounter was compelling viewing. Radach had to be pulled off Ninja like a savage dog, evidence of his killer instinct. Fascinating.
