Issue 004

June 2005

Well guys, let me start by apologising to everyone who was expecting me to fight last month, I cannot begin to describe my disappointment as I was really in the best condition I have ever been. To clarify, I suffered from two torn and strained cartilages in my rib cage caused by sparring a couple of weeks before the fight. Despite many radical therapies — including some Japanese magnet therapy —which did nothing for my chest but played havoc with my TV when I tried to tune into Celebrity Wrestling. What’s that I hear you say? Where do you get Japanese magnet therapy from and can you get treated before next Saturday! Cheeky b*****ds! I was unable to overcome the problem. My thanks goes out to Cage Rage and to my opponent Kristof Mideux who both were very professional and understanding about the situation. But don’t worry I’ll be back!

Thanks also to everyone who came to visit us at Seni as well as our thanks to the organisers themselves. It was a cracking event for everyone involved. Martial Arts in general were very well represented by exhibitors and visitors alike.

We are really entering into prime fight season now with many big and exciting events coming up over the next few months, all of which can be read about in ‘Fighters Only’ so without any further ado, lets get cracking with the knacking! 

Regardless of my fight being cancelled this did not stop a thoroughly enjoyable show at Cage Rage. Some rate it as the best yet. Check out the report performed by our own MD Rob Hewitt on page 18 “Oooh” aren’t we honoured!

In the light of recent events we asked all the esteemed correspondants of Fighters Only, ‘Who would win between Wanderlei and Chuck?’ see Ken Pishna’s qualified article on page 36. The UK is alive with quality shows at the moment and we bring you an exclusive report from Cage Warriors Ultimate Force as well as a complete round-up of this month’s World News. Our Fighter Profile is UFC Middleweight Champ Matt Hughes, we felt we had to feature Matt this month because I personally have never seen a fight like his last title defence against Frank Trigg and I have also never seen anyone recover like Matt. Our hats go off to him, he epitomises the word ‘fighter’. By the way we will be reviewing groin guards in a forthcoming What Equipment!

Finally, we take an exclusive preview at the upcoming UFC 53, an interview with Rich Franklin and all the usual news and reviews. As always, it promises to be a corker so sit back and grab your cup of coffee, or lie back and relax or make sure that you spray the freshener when you are finished. Whatever your reading preference enjoy! Remember Train Hard and Fight Easy.

Hope you like it, and remember…

Train hard, fight easy

Ian ‘The Machine’ Freeman

Here is me and the legend that is Royce Gracie when we met up at Seni. Royce loved Fighters Only and it is was an honour to finally meet him, despite mistaking him for an autograph hunter earlier that day when he came to see me. Royce seemed quite impressed with the Fighters Only girls but I am sure that it was the opportunity of meeting me that

brought him to our stand!