Issue 098

February 2013

THE ESSENTIAL GEAR USED BY TODAY’S ATHLETES

The 24-3 former Bellator 155lb king, now mixed martial arts’ hottest free agent, found time to discuss glove theory with FO

WINDY BOXING GLOVES

“They’re really good. You don’t have to wrap your hands because the gloves are made like that. Most of the time I use 14oz, something like that, but the only time weight (of gloves) becomes an issue is when I go to boxing gyms. You’d be shocked to hear some of the arguments that go on over 2oz. I’m an MMA guy, I’m not a boxing guy, but the boxers seem to be obsessed with the ounce of the glove they’re using. They really believe that has an effect. I just sit back and I’m like, ‘I don’t really care.’”

BOOSTER THAI SHINPADS

“I can’t do grappling ones – the thin ones that don’t really have any foot protection. The only real injuries I get that are nagging during training are from kicks. And it’s because in the past I’ve worn grappling shin guards. So I try to go for the big clunky ones. It sucks having to wear them during training but they really cut down on the foot and shin injuries if you hit an elbow or a knee.”

CLOTHING

“Most of the time if you look in my gymbag I’m going to have child’s clothing in there – and I know that sounds disturbing, but I bring my kids to the gym with me a lot (laughs). So I’ll pack another set of training clothes or something, and some of my kids cling on to a certain toy, so I always have toddler and kids’ stuff in my gymbag (laughs). If there’s anything odd in there it’s my four or seven-year-old’s stuff.” 

DENTIST MOUTHPIECE

“I have a friend, Dr Ross Segal, he owns an orthopedic practice, and he makes them. They’re like nothing anyone’s ever seen. And he grapples so he knows the idea of needing to breathe. It’s just phenomenal. Everybody I show it to loves it. It’s two-sided and protects the bottom and top. You can breathe perfectly with it.”

JACO VALE TUDO SHORTS

“I’m a fan of the old-school vale tudo shorts. Although I endorse Jaco and people would think I’m biased to it or whatever, Jaco has the best gear there is. They really care about the quality and how they make their gear. I like the bike shorts, not the ones that come real short but halfway, they’re my favourite to train in.”

ADIDAS COMBAT WRESTLING SHOES

“I wear wrestling shoes for everything. If I don’t have my wrestling shoes it’s bare feet. Adidas Combat is the best wrestling shoe made.”

F3 NUTRITION

“I take all F3 Nutrition’s line of products. I became a fan. In particular Annihilate, the pre workout. I really like it, it gets me up, gets me going. For most workouts I’ll have protein, BCAAs. F3 has a whole line of products that basically cover all your needs as a fighter. I take that for my post and pre workout, and my maintenance as far as fish oils and things of that sort.”