Issue 002
April 2005
Rea extends challenge to all of Chute Boxe!
Fresh from his victory over Evangelista 'Cyborg' Santos at Cage Rage 10, Antony Rea has stated he feels he did not face the best that the famed Brazillian Mixed Martial Arts Chute Boxe team had to offer - and has issued a challenge to any of them to step forward and take him on!
Speaking exclusively to Fighters Only after his debut UK appearance, he stated he was happy to have been offered the chance to fight the Brazilian striker. "I knew he would be tough and it would be a hard fight, but I was ready for him," he said.
Rea has often found it difficult to get fights in Europe and has repeatedly had to travel to Canada and the US, "I truly believe that fighting in Cage Rage was good for my career as it is not only a good UK show, but a good world show. I'm happy I was finally given this opportunity to fight in Europe. I would like to come back but it's not up to me, I'm not a promoter."
When asked if there were any other Chute Boxe fighters he would like to face, he answered: "I trained really hard for this fight, and to be honest I thought it would be tougher and would give me more of a hard time, so I would like to fight someone with a bit more experience and a bit tougher."
Chute Boxe are known for their light-heavyweight talent pool, so who does he see himself fighting? Shogun? Ninja? "Why not? I'm ready to fight any Chute Boxe fighter that gives me a tough fight and helps my career. And one day, maybe the top guy, Wanderlei! I really respect the Chute Boxe team, but i want their toughest fighters!"
A big hit from the start!
Fighters only magazine got off to a great start when it was launched at Cage Rage 10 on Saturday, February 26. The magazine sponsored two fights at the event, with our sponsored fighters Leigh Remedios and Babalu putting up fantastic displays in the octagon. The Fighters Only girls were there to lend a helping hand to all the spectators that night, by distributing leaflets about the magazine and, basically, just look stunning!
Rob Hewitt, Managing director of CHN media (publisher of Fighters Only), attended the show and was extremely pleased with the reception. Rob said: "I thought the whole night was a big success, not only for Cage Rage but also for Fighters Only. The crowd were a big help and really got behind the fighters... and the comments from those to whom I spoke were very positive about our new magazine."
Rap star Ludacris, pop stars including Misteeq and the Sugababes, TV stars from EastEnders and six-times Mr Olympia, Dorian Yates, were all on hand to give support. On top of everything, Wanderlei 'The Axe Murderer" Silva was on hand to add that little extra bit of superstar that every good launch needs by posing for photographs and signing autographs in front of the Fighters Only display. The only person missing from the event was our very own superstar Ian 'The Machine' Freeman, who unfortunately could not be there due to TV commitments with his forthcoming prime-time ITV show, Celebrity Wrestling.
All in all, a good night was had by all, and the early signs of sales from the likes of WH Smiths have shown a phenomenal response to Fighters Only - so we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has supported us so far, especially those who have gone out and bought the magazine. We promise to make each and every issue even better in an attempt to promote the industry as a whole. Look out for the Fighters Only television adverts, which will be hitting your TV screens soon.
Celebrities get to grips...with each other
There's no holds barred as 12 famous faces go toe-to-toe in a new ITV1 prime-time Saturday night show, Celebrity Wrestling - and our own Ian 'The Machine' Freeman is the referee!
Split into two teams, each under the guidance of two of the biggest names from the world of professional wrestling, they will be taken to new levels of fitness as they prepare for combat in a series of real bouts filmed in front of a massive audience.
Grapple fans will not be disappointed as each week the 12 compete in a series of unique wrestling bouts presented by Kate Thornton, who will be joined by former WWE legend Rowdy Roddy Piper. The celebrities are not just competing for fun because there are points and prizes at stake; and ultimately there can only be one king and one queen of the ring.
The girls getting to grips with each other will be LIberty X singer Michelle Heaton, TV presenter Jenny Powell, former tennis star Annabel Croft, pin-up Leilani Dowding, Big Brother winner and TV presenter Kate Lawler, and actress and former Miss Sweden Victoria Silvstedt,
Our male maulers are former EastEnders heart-throb Marc Bannerman, the infamous Major James Hewitt, showjumper Oliver Skeete, children's TV presenter Mark Speight, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, athlete Iwan Thomas and presenter Jeff Brazier.
Ultimate Fighter...A Huge American Success!
After eight weeks on television, the Ultimate Fighting Championship's reality series is a resounding success. Starting out of the gate with a 1.4 rating (a minor success), The Ultimate Fighter has levelled out to a very healthy 1.7 rating after hitting a peak of 2.0. On American cable television, a show with a 1.5 rating is basically considered a hit. With an average of 1.7, The Ultimate Fighter is way more than the UFC could have hoped for.
Though many hardcore Mixed Martial Arts fans have clamoured for more insight into training, the general public has eaten up the drama that the show's producers have spotlighted, especially when the drama plays out into a fight in which the loser is eliminated from the show. The peak rating of 2.0 occurred when tempers flared in the aftermath of a drunken night on the town for the two teams of fighters. To settle a rift between decorated collegiate wrestler Josh Koscheck and Team Quest standout Chris Leben, the two were assigned to meet in the Octagon to settle the score. Koscheck won a lacklustre decision, sending Leben home, but the drama building up to the fight drove the ratings sky-high.
Diego Sanchez, of Team Liddell, has set himself apart as the fighter to beat in the middleweight division. He has participated in two elimination bouts and has defeated both opponents in less than half a round apiece.
After eight weeks, there are nine fighters left, including the previously eliminated Chris Leben. Nate Quarry, Leben's team-mate, was injured in a training session, and since he had to leave the competition, he was allowed to pick any previously eliminated fighter to take his place. Quarry chose Leben to make his return. This is actually very good for the show as Leben has become one of the stars of the show, mostly being the guy that you love to hate.
Trying to make the final cut, Team Couture consists of Chris Leben, Mike Swick, Stephan Bonner and Alex Schoenauer. Team Liddell fighters trying to make it into the final four are Forrest Griffin, Diego Sanchez, Josh Koscheck, Kenny Florian and Sam Hoger.
The final episode will be a special, two-hour live broadcast on April 9. The live show will feature the two middleweight finalists and the two light heavyweight finalists fighting for two UFC contracts, as well as a blockbuster main event consisting of UFC legend Ken Shamrock and rising star Rich Franklin.
For those that are unable to see the show on television, The Ultimate Fighter has an excellent website that has fighter biographies, coach UFC biographies, video clips, photos and more at The Ultimate Fighter.tv. MMAWeekly provides a week-by-week recap of each of the shows and a discussion about each week's ratings at MMAWeekly.com/fighter/mma.html.
Showcase of talent
Pride & Glory's reputation for promoting high-quality MMA events was further enhanced with their latest offering., Battle in Brigg II, on Saturday, February 26 --- and they raised money for the Luke Walmsley Sports Foundation in the process. Luke was just 14 when he was fatally stabbed in his classroom at Birbeck School in Lincolnshire, on November 4, 2003, and his family set up the foundation in order to build a lasting legacy of Luke and to raise funds to provide much-needed sports facilities in the area.
This Lincolnshire-based feeder event was a great opportunity for new and up-and-coming fighters to showcase their talents. The crowd were treated to a great night's entertainment, featuring three amateurs, seven semi-professionals, one kickboxer and two professional bouts, as well as a poetic display of Lau Gar courtesy of Sifu Stuart Agars, 4th Dan, between bouts.
Last month's featured amateur David 'The Boy' Smyth is definitely going to be one to look out for in the future after overcoming Gregori Fenolosa in a tremendous stand up battle.
The Pride & Glory team will be back at Brigg on Saturday, June 4 for another great night of action, entertainment and raising funds for the Luke Walmsley Sports Foundation. See www,prideandglory.tv for further details.
