Issue 049
May 2009
In the UFC-dominated industry of MMA, it can be all too easy to forget about the many fantastic fighters who are signed with other organisations. Here is a brief sample of some of the world’s best talent outside of the Octagon.
Fedor Emelianenko, 29-1-0 (1NC)
IN BRIEF: Unassuming stone-cold Russian widely regarded as the top heavyweight fighter in the world.
CURRENTLY SIGNED TO: Affliction / M-1 Global.
THE GOOD: Ridiculous punching power, savage ability to finish fights, solid grappling game. Unbeatable?
MUST-SEE FIGHT: His crunching KO of the formidable Andrei Arlovski, not Fedor at his best but still entertaining.
CHANCES OF SIGNING WITH UFC: Slim to fair. Dana and Lorenzo offered him bags of money. Rumours of a summer appearance are hotting up.
Cung Le, 6-0-0
IN BRIEF: Flashy Vietnamese kickboxer who has been high kicking his way into fans’ hearts.
CURRENTLY SIGNED TO: Strikeforce.
THE GOOD: Amazing kicking ability, a variety of attacks, good takedowns and takedown defence.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: His three-round beating of Frank Shamrock. Le broke Shamrock’s arm with kicks.
CHANCES OF SIGNING WITH UFC: Fair to good. Dana loves him, but he’s busy filming for most of 2009 and his Strikeforce contract is tight.
Jake Shields, 22-4-1
IN BRIEF: Solid wrestler, former EliteXC champion, among the top five 170lb fighters in the world.
CURRENTLY SIGNED TO: Strikeforce.
THE GOOD: Near unstoppable takedowns, tight ground game, world-class submissions.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: Any of his fights in EliteXC.
CHANCES OF SIGNING WITH UFC: Fair. He’s expressed a desire to move to 185lb and would make a good challenger to Silva.
JZ Calvancante,14-2-1
IN BRIEF: Beefy American Top Team lightweight.
CURRENTLY SIGNED TO: DREAM.
THE GOOD: Powerful striking, great ground game. Tough as nails.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: When he smashed his way through the K-1 lightweight MMA tournament.
CHANCES OF SIGNING WITH UFC: Slim. He’s big in Japan and commands good money.
Robbie Lawler, 16-4-0
IN BRIEF: Energetic heavy-handed brawler, teammate of Matt Hughes.
CURRENTLY SIGNED TO: Strikeforce.
THE GOOD: Good chin, hard hitting, solid wrestling.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: Either of his scraps with Scott Smith.
CHANCES OF SIGNING WITH UFC: Fair to good. Lawler was dropped after a string of losses but could easily return.
Mohammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal, 3-0-0
IN BRIEF: Former freestyle wrestler, trains with Team Quest in California.
CURRENTLY SIGNED TO: World Victory Road (Sengoku).
THE GOOD: Truly world-class wrestling, great footwork, great boxing. Awesome athlete.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: His stoppage win over Travis Wiuff.
CHANCES OF SIGNING WITH UFC: Good. He would be a massive boost for the 205lb division.
Eddie Alvarez, 15-2-0
IN BRIEF: Hyperactive lightweight scrapper from Philadelphia.
CURRENTLY SIGNED TO: DREAM / Bellator FC.
THE GOOD: Always fights with intensity, no matter what the range. A handful for anyone.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: His ‘fight of the year’ contender with Joachim Hansen, or his brutal scrap with Kawajiri.
CHANCES OF SIGNING WITH UFC: Slim at present. Busy fighting in Japan and on Spanish language MMA event, Bellator.
