Issue 035

March 2008

Photographer Kevin Lynch began shooting MMA at UFC 40 when Tito Ortiz bludgeoned Ken Shamrock’s face into the canvas. Coming from a fashion background, his reputation alone got him cage-side to begin with, but his images caught the eye of Dana White and Lorenzo Fertita, who asked Lynch to work for them and produce a book documenting every aspect of the UFC. 

“He came and just kept shooting the events,” said White. “We start looking at some of the stuff he did, and we said “shit.” Lorenzo is really into art, Lorenzo’s a big art freak. That’s how the whole concept of the book started.” 

The concept of the book borrows from that of the Muhammed Ali tome, GOAT (Greatest of all Time). At a massive 20 inches high by 26 inches wide, it weighs close to 50lbs – a true heavyweight in book terms. 800 high quality photographs fill the pages, many of which have never been seen before, but some may appear familiar – you’ll recognise the giant portraits from the walls of the TUF locker rooms. 

Limited to 600 copies the book will cost between $2500 and $7500 depending on if you want the regular and deluxe version, putting it out of the hands of most regular fans, but an exhibition will take in Hamiltons Gallery in London between January 17^th and February 2^nd. Details can be found at www.hamiltonsgallery.com. 

For you, what picture has the most interesting story behind it?

The clamshell cover is an Octagon-shaped contact sheet image compiled of 100 images, shot every eight minutes in a 12-hour timespan, starting from an empty arena building the Octagon until the first fight starts: 5am-5pm.

Which picture captures the most emotion for you?

The book blood cover. It is wrapped and padded with an image shot of UFC 61 after eight fights. The blood realistically reflects the torment and sacrifice these athletes put themselves through.

What was a common characteristic of fighters before a fight began?

Everything from inner calm, quiet nervousness to extreme focus, inner rage. 

You stated that you can almost tell who's going to win or lose when you look at fighters before a fight. Are there any instances that you recall where you could tell if a fighter would win or not?

I'm not a psychic, but those fighters who are overly confidant are usually insecure and not balanced within. The fighters who are calm and even allow a smile in front of my lens are usually ready. In the end that’s what they are, fighting against themselves and their preparedness. The younger more inexperienced ones, a lot of the TUF fighters, become men in the Octagon.

Who was the most interesting fighter you shot?

Every fighter who dares to enter the Octagon has something special, I have no favorites, only respect.

What were some things you learned about fighters in general from shooting them?

Spending time with your subjects is the key to gain their trust and the reward is the truth in front of my camera, which I was privileged to have received from them in their most vulnerable and celebratory moments.

Were there any technical challenges you had to overcome for this project?

I decided to approach Octagon with a three study concept: First, the before and afters. Second, the Octagon action shots. Third, movement blur images to reflect the inner emotions and the artistry of the MMA sport.

For the before and afters I developed with Briese Lighting a portable strobe device so I could run from one locker room to another and be mobile enough with an assistant. We designed a ball / globe light to insinuate the effect of a locker room overhead light, except I got 10 more stops of lighting in order to use my 39 megapixel Hasselblad medium format camera.

On the Octagon I shot with more conventional 35mm cameras until later when digital finally caught up and I could use medium format digital cameras. I also used my Hasselblad Panorama Camera for action shots. For the movement it was HMI lights with a strobe fill to capture the still & movement mixture at the same time. 

For more details go to www.octagon-book.com

What’s Hot, What’s Not

HOT

Edith Labelle’s boobs are huge in real life. Really huge. Like, ‘Wow’ huge. We like!  

Sean Sherk vs. BJ Penn is booked for May in Las Vegas. BJ says Sean Sherk is “dead”. Sherk is angry. All the makings of a classic.  

Fedor’s next fight will be in the USA, say M-1. It won’t be Randy (yet), but who cares? The ‘Last Russian Emperor’ fighting on US soil? Sweet.  

NOT

Randy’s ongoing legal battles with the UFC. Can’t you guys just kiss and make up? 

Eddie Bravo and Joe Rogan’s short-term memories suck. You may want to cut down on the herbal cigarettes, guys.  

Gina Carano in American Gladiators. What exactly are you Gina? Fighter, TV personality, wannabe actress or spoiled rich girl? Answers on a postcard.