Issue 040

August 2008

Things we hear, things we see, things we know.

Damn it feels good to be European 

While all eyes are on the USA and Japan, it’s easy to overlook the many European fighters who are going about their business. Dutch fighter Melvin Manhoef, who we profiled in last month’s issue, just destroyed Sakuraba, while countryman Gegard Mousasi and the Croatian kickboxer Zelg Galesic also advanced to the DREAM Grand Prix semi-finals, to take place in September.   

UFC guys pack serious muscle

Joe Rogan, Dana White, Mike Goldberg, Bruce Buffer, Lorenzo Fertita – all stacked with muscle and weighing-in over 200lb. With shoulders that barely fit through doorways and biceps bulging out of their shirts, we can only assume there must be something in the water.  

Mike Goldberg broke the guns

Following on from the above, it turns out that Goldie tore his bicep tendon clean off while pumping iron. With his arm immobilised in a sling, he found a tailor in Las Vegas who made some hasty adjustments so his suit would fit over his sling. With his newly designed jacket and only one arm to hold a microphone, he got back in the commentary booth to call UFC 84. What a trooper!   

Fighters are potty mouths

Swearing in post-fight interviews is not big and it is not clever, but it is funny. Why the over-the-top puritanical reactions? We’re all consenting adults after all.   

Refereeing is the toughest job of all

Do a good job and nobody says a word. Make the slightest mistake and people across the planet will call for your head. As legendary referee Big John McCarthy says, “You’re always going to have people, no matter who you are, who are not going to like you for a call that you made.”