Issue 102

June 2013

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

Rousey accidentally donated headphones to charity

Women’s MMA star Ronda Rousey donated a historic pair of headphones to a school auction without realizing. The UFC bantamweight wore the white Monster headphones before and after her historic title defense over Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 in February but accidentally left them on the Honda Centre locker room floor, explained Ronda’s mother, Dr Ann Maria De Mars, on her personal blog. Ronda’s sister, Maria, picked them up but was unable to return them. Caught short-handed for donations to her daughter’s school auction two days later, Maria offered the headphones, courtesy of the none-the-wiser UFC champ.

Cuban government worries force MMA underground

Concern Cuba’s conveyor belt of Olympic boxing medalists could drop the 12oz mitts for 4oz gloves has prevented the country’s government from legalizing MMA, it’s recently come to light. Cuba has long been amateur boxing’s powerhouse nation, despite losing champions to the pro ranks every few years when they generally escape to the US. And much like pro boxing, the government believes the lure of MMA is an equal threat. One of Cuba’s only MMA coaches, Evelio Padron Ferrier, told Fightland: “People have their dreams, and in this country one of the dreams of many young people and their trainers is to fight MMA.”

Bruce Buffer shadowboxes before fights

It’s not visible on TV, and rarely noticed live, but UFC ring announcer and this issue’s cover star Bruce Buffer shadowboxes before UFC events go on air, Fighters 

Only learned recently. UFC heavyweight Pat Barry revealed the snippet in conversation with FO recently, saying: “What people don’t get to see is Bruce, before the UFC starts, before he starts announcing the fights and they’re playing the intro song, Buffer stands there staring at the screen shadowboxing, trying to get into the zone.”

Hardcore band nixed over New York concerns

The UFC’s ongoing struggle with legalizing MMA in New York meant 185lb’er Chris Camozzi was unable to walk out to music by, or wear the logos of, New England hardcore band Hatebreed. In the midst of a dispute with Station Casinos (owned by the UFC’s Fertitta brothers), the Culinary Union has been lobbying against MMA in NYC and drawing politicians’ attention to any activity that has the potential to be controversial. The band’s singer, Jamey Jasta, told MMA Junkie a UFC representative told him, “once all this stuff with New York passes, they might be a little more lenient about allowing some heavier music and different types of sponsors.”