Issue 003
March 2005
If anyone has ‘been there and done that’ it is Ken Shamrock. A legend in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and a member of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Fame, Shamrock was around for the commencement of the sport at UFC 1. His credentials are without equal.
Now, more than a decade later, he was part of another chapter in the history of MMA. In the main event, in front of millions of viewers, on the first-ever live televised broadcast on basic cable television in the United States, Shamrock again stumbled into defeat at the hands of a younger opponent, leaving in his wake the feeling of the proverbial torch being passed on to the next generation of fighters.
In only his third fight since returning to the UFC in 2002 and losing to then champion Tito Ortiz, Shamrock, though fighting admirably, went down in defeat at the hands of rising star Rich Frtanklin — the epitome of the new generation of mixed martial artists. Part of the new breed of fighter that is trained in all aspects deemed important in the sport instead of concentrating on one discipline, Franklin displayed the depth of his skills in a dominating performance against Shamrock.
Connecting early with a left hook to the head, Shamrock slipped and immediately went for Franklin’s leg. In a scramble, it was Franklin that ended up with an unorthodox armbar attempt, which Shamrock escaped and turned into a submission attempt of his own. Securing a heelhook, Shamrock couldn’t find the finish as Franklin rolled with it until he could find a way out.
Back on their feet, Franklin landed a solid kick to the midsection. Shamrock attempted to return with a kick of his own to the head but he slipped and Franklin quickly moved in. Standing between Shamrock’s legs, Franklin started throwing down blow after blow which nearly all connected with Shamrock’s head. At two minutes and 44 seconds of the first round, referee John McCarthy had no choice but to stop the bout as Shamrock could no longer defend himself. Rich Franklin defeated the legend and, in the process, elevated himself to star status.
Though it felt like the end of an era, Shamrock insisted that he is not done fighting, at least, not if he can help it: “I’m not ready to sit down yet… I want to come back. I don’t want to end on this… the fans want me to keep fighting. I want to keep fighting. Hopefully, the UFC wants me to keep fighting.”
Always a class act, Shamrock gave Franklin his due: “We win them; we lose them. But we’ve got to accept them all… the best man won. He’s the kind of guy you want to see wear the belt.” And wear the belt he may. Speculation is that Franklin will return to the Octagon in June to challenge Evan Tanner for his UFC middleweight title.
This event was the culmination of 12 weeks of the American reality series, The Ultimate Fighter, in which 16 fighters competed in two different weight classes for two six-figure, three-year contracts with the UFC. Beyond the main event, the finals featured a fight that will leave a lasting impression in the minds of everyone that watched it and three fighters that, by all appearances, are emerging as future superstars.
In what is already being labelled as one of the greatest fights in the history of the UFC,
Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar, the two light heavyweight finalists on The Ultimate Fighter, waged a war that will not be easily forgotten by those that witnessed it.
For three solid rounds both fighters threw everything they had at each other. They would clinch, trading knees and uppercuts, then push out and land jabs, crosses and hooks. Griffin and Bonnar each rocked the other with earth shattering blows that would have dropped mere mortals.
On this night they were not mere mortals but Mars and Ares reincarnated. Both walked away bloodied, battered and bruised, but neither dropped.
When the judges’ decision was announced, it was Forrest Griffin that eked out a unanimous decision victory that earned him the title of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, a six-figure contract with the UFC, a new car and various other benefits. But in a tremendous show of appreciation for the efforts of both fighters and the unforgettable war that they waged in the Octagon, UFC president Dana White and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta, in an on-the-spot decision, also rewarded Stephan Bonnar with his own six-figure contract.
The middleweight finals of the series featured Diego ‘The Nightmare’ Sanchez and Kenny Florian. Earning his way to the finals and sending a message along the way, Sanchez dominated two of the three opponents that he faced en route to the finals. Florian secured his progression to the finals with a victory over the show’s ‘bad boy’ Chris Leben in a bout that he was losing until he managed to open a fight-ending cut over Leben’s eye. On paper, it looked as if Sanchez was the obvious favourite. In reality, he was the dominating victor.
Florian entered the Octagon to the tunes on his iPod. In a proud display of his heritage, Sanchez entered the ring to the traditional soundings of a live Mexican mariachi band. Once the fanfare died down and after a short feeling out period, Sanchez unleashed ‘The Nightmare’ on Florian, taking him down and aggressively attacking. As Sanchez rained down the blows, Florian squirmed around trying to find an escape route but all he ended up doing was to provide Sanchez the opportunity to attain a full mount. Not relenting, Sanchez only emphasised the message that he sent throughout the television series by pounding Florian senseless until the referee put a halt to the bout.
Really coming into his own as the spotlight narrows in on him, Diego Sanchez became the middleweight ‘Ultimate Fighter’, also winning a six-figure contract with the UFC. Not only that, but he has positioned himself to quickly become not just a participant but also a contender in the UFC.
The main event, the two final fights, and the build-up around them comprised the entirety of the two and a half-hour broadcast. But prior to going live on television, the other fighters from the television series were matched up in six fights to battle it out in front of the audience at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the last fight leading into the broadcast, Bobby Southworth and Sam Hoger fought to a three-round decision. Staying on their feet throughout the first two rounds, both fighters landed some good blows but neither fighter distinguished himself by doing any real damage. In the third round, Hoger pulled ahead as he took Southworth to the mat and methodically ground ‘n’ pounded his way to the finishing bell. In the end, Hoger earned the unanimous nod from the judges.
Chris Leben, one of the standouts on The Ultimate Fighter, battled Jason Thacker — the first fighter selected to leave the show without even getting a chance in the Octagon. Against Leben, he had his opportunity to step up, but Leben would have none of it. Thacker was quickly dropped with a combination of strikes. Leben then proceeded to employ the patented Team Quest ground ‘n’ pound strategy, putting Thacker away in less than two minutes of the first round.
Another fighter that didn’t get the opportunity to prove himself in a fight on the show was Chris Sanford, who was chosen to leave the show at the end of the second episode. Although he gave it his best effort, it was Josh Koscheck, another standout on the show, who proved dominant. Taking Sanford down twice — once in a huge slam — Koscheck used his superior wrestling skills to attain a dominant side position and punched Sanford unconscious towards the end of round one.
Nate Quarry, who was eliminated from the competition on the series due to an ankle injury inflicted during training, stepped into the Octagon wanting to show what he couldn’t during the series — that he belongs in the UFC. Showing the poise of his mentor Randy Couture, Quarry shunned the usual Team Quest wrestling strategy and stayed on his feet throughout his fight with Lodune Sincaid. Picking his shots, Quarry methodically and accurately placed his punches to accumulate damage until Sincaid went loopy from a well-timed flurry and referee John McCarthy stopped the fight.
In a brief but amazingly explosive bout, Mike Swick, who was armbarred by Stephan Bonnar in the semi-finals, blasted Alex Schoenauer with a brutal flurry of punches. Reminiscent of Vitor Belfort’s hammering of Wanderlei Silva at UFC: Ultimate Brazil, Swick drove Schoenauer back into the cage and dropped him to the mat in just 20 seconds for the knockout.
The first bout of the night was a classic battle of styles between Alex Karalexis and Josh Rafferty. In true Jiu-Jitsu fashion, Rafferty jumped guard and applied a quick guillotine choke on Karalexis, who was still standing. Karalexis slammed Rafferty to the mat to escape the submission, then stood up in Rafferty’s guard and dropped two perfectly timed punches to his head to knock him out in under two minutes, setting the tone of the show.
SAM HOGER - THE ALASKAN ASSASSIN
Fighters Only: Thanks for doing the interview with Fighters Only, especially since you’re still finishing your workout, riding the stationary bike!
Sam Hoger: No sweat, I loved the first issue. There’s not enough Hispanic representation though — white, black, but where’s my Hispanic boys?
FO: Before we get to the show, tell us your background in the martial arts?
SH: I’ve done karate since I was six, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) since the age of 13 with Gracie Baja and then Carlson Gracie under Roni Salas and Chris Siefert. I’ve been with Miletich Fighting System (MFS) since I was 20. I’m 24 now, still a spring chicken, and I’ll become a dinosaur that crushes everyone!
FO: What was growing up like? Where were you born and where have you lived?
SH: I was born in Louisiana, raised in Germany, then Panama City, and then I went to Alaska for high school. In my senior year I went to the New Mexico Military Institute, surrounded by nine million marching idiots. Then I went to Louisiana State University, earning two political science degrees in theory and government. Now I’m finishing a masters in business administration at St Ambrose. I want to go to law school so I have something to fall back on. I want to crush my opponents in the cage, in business and in court!
FO: What was your Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) record before the show and how did you win?
SH: I’m untouched! Amateur 18-0 and an undefeated 4-0 as a pro. As a pro I’ve won by high kick KO and three submissions.
FO: Have you competed in any grappling or Jiu-Jitsu tournaments?
SH: Oh yeah, tons. I’ve done the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) in Florida, and tournaments in Texas and Louisiana. I’m the World Extreme Submission Championships champion!
FO: What are your thoughts on what has been dubbed the ‘editing monster’ at the TV show?
SH: Editing gives the public the same perspective of the three blind wise men feeling the elephant and describing it — they all said something different. The only people who know were there. I was surrounded by sissies crying over things like deodorant bars and hats. If it’s free I’m grabbing it. We need to pat them on their heads and make them happy.
FO: Let’s play some name association. You tell me your thoughts on them and their actions, both while on the show and what you have seen in edited episodes. First up, your thoughts on coach Chuck Liddell? Did he give you any techniques or advice?
SH: I love Chuck. He’s the most realistic person I have met. He’s a true gentleman and warrior. I love that overhand he taught me. That guy could motivate the dead back to life he’s so real!
FO: Randy Couture? Are there any techniques he worked on with you?
SH: He was the classiest guy on the show by far. Love the hooks!
FO: What about Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White?
SH: He’s the most professional, awesome, chance-giving guy. I’m indebted. Giving me the chance means the world to me. I love that guy, he’s real.
FO: What about the specialty coaches: Jiu-Jitsu coach Marc Laimon, Muay Thai coach Ganyao Fairtex, and boxing coach Peter Welch?
SH: Laimon’s got sick Jiu-Jitsu and he’s the video game king — he can’t hang with me on Halo 2 though. Ganyao’s got a great sense of humour. Peter was like Peter Pan, he gave me hands straight from Wonderland! Thanks Peter.
FO: What about Nate Quarry?
SH: Nate Quarry’s a good kid. He needs to try to pull less verbiage when speaking and get less tunnel vision, but he’s a good kid.
FO: What about my favourite, Lodune Sincaid? What about his potassium pills and ‘man panties’?
SH: Lodune kept sanity in the house — I’m still laughing at his humour. He’s a good kid. He needs to hang up the man panties though!
FO: What about Chris Leben and all the drama he brought? Did you know about the pillow ‘spritzing’?
SH: I like that kid, we see eye to eye on many things. He did things to be funny, not malicious. He did get out of line sometimes. He’s like the prankster in high school that means no harm unless you’re in the cage tasting his ‘bolos’.
FO: What about your friends Josh Koschek and Bobby Southworth? Can you talk about the incident the night they sprayed Leben with water and also how they treated you?
SH: Dude, they’re punks! Bobby’s 34 and hasn’t aged since 12. Josh is a follower. Their ‘fatherless bastard’ comment was very low and spraying water on Chris was bogus! I’m not a follower like the rest of Team Liddell, kissing Bobby’s ass! Forget you [Bobby] and your stupid crew. Your own crew doesn’t want you. You were talking shit on Frank Shamrock and threatening the cameramen not to film it! Frank Shamrock’s a classy champion and deserves respect. Mike Swick was listening to the whole thing and was shocked.
FO: Do you want to tell everyone your side of the whole stealing thing?
SH: Yeah, we got to the show and they took a bunch of stuff away from us. They took clothes with logos that they didn’t want showing. They took a bunch of clothing from me and said that they would replace it all, so I took a bunch. Because of the ‘editing monster’ and tunnel vision in the house, they made me look bad. Forrest said everyone took stuff. I just took a little more. I’m not greedy, I was just replacing what was mine.
FO: What are your thoughts on Stephan Bonner and his strange way of complimenting and putting someone down at the same time? What about his skills?
SH: Stephan is skilled. He’s a good guy but a little weird sometimes. I can’t hate the guy for having a strange sense of perspective on life sometimes. He’s a good guy.
FO: What about Forrest Griffin, is he whacked or what? Skill and experience wise, was he the toughest light heavyweight on the show?
SH: Forrest acts dumb as a box of rocks but has enough common sense to make up for his lack of intelligence. He did annoy me with his weird antics and acting like a monkey. But then most idiots annoy me. He’s a good guy at the core.
FO: Can you say who it is you fought at the end of the show, or who it is you will be fighting on April 9?
SH: I can’t talk about it. I’ll say this, it’s a guy I already fought and we’ve got some unfinished business. There’s a target on his head! [The show has now aired; Sam lost to Forrest Griffin and was referring to him.]
FO: Well, can you at least say how you’re feeling about fighting the guy on April 9? How do you think that fight will go?
SH: I can’t wait to make him taste the sweat off my gloves. I hope he has some KY because I’m about to shove my foot so far up his ass that he’ll be tasting Footlocker water repellent! [I now assume he will be fighting Bobby Southworth, but this hasn’t been confirmed.]
FO: After this fight, are there guys from the show you would like to challenge?
SH: Oh yeah, lots of them! I want to take teeth as ornaments. Practically everyone in that house. There’s only a few that I liked.
FO: Have you anything else to say to the guys on the show?
SH: Guys, get some education because your dumb asses aren’t going to fight forever. And for those few I liked — you know who you are — I cherish you. For those that I don’t, you better hope not to meet me in the cage or in court!
FO: Anything else for the fans of the show?
SH: I love all the fans. Thanks for supporting the sport. And to all the intelligent people that could tell what happened, I appreciate your intelligence. And for those that believe I stole anything, well… thanks for watching the show.
