Issue 057
December 2009
This is YOUR page to tell us what you think of all things Fighters Only and MMA! What do you like? What don’t you like? Who do you want to see fight who? Send us your pictures of you with fighters – and if you can slip a copy of FO into the pic, even better! Write or email in and the most interesting letter gets an FO T-shirt.
Write to us, including your contact details, by email to [email protected]
What makes an MMA fan?
I am a bit concerned about a certain attitude creeping in towards fans of MMA. The article ‘How To Bluff your Way in MMA’ struck a chord with me that hurt a little. I keep hearing the phrase ‘armchair fan’ popping up. I am getting the feeling that people need to prove what kind of a fan they are. I have no shame in admitting that I first came across MMA because of the first season of TUF.
At first, like many, I thought it was just a slugging match, but as I watched the series I started to appreciate the hard work, skill and training that goes into it. By watching fights with the commentary I have also learnt to appreciate that good fights aren’t always the ones with the most blood. I am nearly 50 and also not physically capable of getting in the Octagon or ring, in fact I don’t like getting hit very much either (I’m not going to say ‘If I were a younger, able man’). I don’t know many other people who watch it personally and though I have a T-shirt, I don’t parade it around to attract attention or be something I’m not.
But I honestly do enjoy the sport. I appreciate the dedication and bravery of those who fight in the sport. I am no expert and have never been good at remembering the facts and figures of fights, though I recognize and know something about the fighters now. I hope one day to be able to afford to go to a fight for real but for now I am an ‘armchair fan’. Is there any shame in that? Surely with all sports or other interests there are different levels of involvement from fans, from doing it to going to all events or concerts, or just watching it on TV or buying the albums.
I have never been interested in other sports (music is my thing: writing, performing and listening). Does this make me a plastic or pretend fan? Aren’t I worthy to say I am a fan? It would be a shame if snobbery crept into the world of MMA. How will its popularity grow if people aren’t allowed to participate at the level they are happy with? It will alienate a lot of potential fans. This is a great magazine, thank you. It keeps me in touch and tells me more about the first sport I have ever really shown an interest in.
Vin
ED: Well, Vin, what can we say? You’ve proved right there that an ‘armchair fan’ can be just as passionate a fan as one who trains, or goes to every fight event they can. We’re glad you like the magazine and that you’ve found a sport you love.
No Globalization!
First of all, great magazine! Best out there! I just read the article ‘Going Global’ by Andrew McGuigan, no offense, but what is this guy talking about? It would be a huge mistake for the UFC to franchise and go global. It would be like the MLB doing it. We all know that the UFC is the big league of MMA. Sure, there are a lot of great fighters not in the UFC, just like there are a lot of great baseball players in Japan, but if a fighter wants to be the best they find their way to the UFC. It doesn’t matter where they are from.
We’ve seen it time and time again, a fighter tearing it up in another promotion comes in the UFC and gets beat – not just beaten but outclassed. So why would the UFC want to spread themselves thin by franchising to other counties? One thing I believe the UFC could do better is bring the WEC’s lower weight classes, as well as all of their other fighters, to the UFC. This would bring more fighters from around the world.
Last thing, I watch all the MMA that comes on my TV, not just the UFC. But the UFC is second to none. The UFC, its owners, its management, and its marketing will never be duplicated, leaving them one option: keep on, keepin’ on!
Josh Meyer
Bad Kickboxing
I just read the article ‘Bad Kickboxing’ by Hywel Teague. As an MMA fan who still has UFC 1 recorded on videocassette from back in the day, I never really took note of this perspective. But I think it is right on the money. Many fans are too quick to boo fighters who are on the ground in an attempt to lobby the referee to stand them up. I was skeptical when I saw another MMA magazine on the news stand, but your offering is the real deal and most impressive.
Cheers!
Paul Kindzia
GALLERY
Here is a picture of me with Chuck Liddell at the UFC 102 showing at the Bennigan’s in downtown Chicago. I was lucky enough to get a picture and his autograph. Fighters Only magazine is the best MMA magazine out here right now and I look forward to getting it every month. Keep up the good work.
Steve Nino Bondoc, Chicago, Illinois
Hi Fighters Only, Here is a drawing I did of Minotauro Noguiera out of one of the back issues I’ve seen. I did it whilst listening to a Vaughan Williams CD (who says fight fans aren’t cultured? Ha Ha!). Hope you like it.
Dylan Timms.
