Issue 027
July 2007
Fighters Only are pleased to announce the sponsorship of two fighters appearing on the upcoming UFC 72 event in Belfast, Northern Ireland. June 16 will see Belfast boys Colin Robinson and Stevie Lynch in action in front of thousands of local fans and millions of viewers around the world. Read on to meet the two latest additions to the growing team of Fighters Only-sponsored fighters.
Colin Robinson
Colin 'Big C' Robinson will be the heavyweight representative appearing on the card, facing Los Angeles-based fighter Eddie Sanchez.
With three titles in British promotions to his name, Robinson is a 38-year old striker with an 11-fight record. With only two losses on his resume, his main weapons are his fists, which he uses to great effect.
His opponent Sanchez has fought twice in the UFC, losing to Mirko 'Cro Cop' in his last appearance, and he will certainly be out to redeem himself, but Robinson thinks he will prevail.
"He's had one result, and one terrible result. Eddie fancies himself as a bit of a striker, my background is in boxing, and I know I can strike. He's very, very open to hooks. I'm hoping he's going to open very good angles for me to counter. I could quite easily pick him off".
With an extensive background in boxing, Robinson knows that the Belfast crowd appreciate a good scrap. "The Belfast crowd are good, they really get behind the fighters, going right back to the boxing days. Most fighters who fought in Ireland will agree the crowd really lift the roof".
"It's pretty much sold out already, there are 9000 seats available, it’s been going mad. The general public are chomping at the bit, they can't wait for it".
With himself and team mate Stevie representing the local lads, he expects plenty of support. "We reckon Stevie and myself will bring at least a couple of hundred of fans. The Americans have put on guys with Irish names, but that's not going to work! For the likes of Stevie and myself, we'll definitely get a big reception".
Colin admits that a large part of his success has been down to the support of his team and close friends. "I would like to thank my coaches David Patterson at UFR and Rodney Moore at the Institute of MMA. Also I work fulltime as business development manager at a builder's merchant, so I want to thank my boss lan Haldane for letting me take time off for the medicals and all that".
Aware of the pressure of representing Irish MMA as a whole, Colin knows that the world's eye will be on him, but he is happy to take the challenge. "Eddie is a good opponent; if I beat him it'll put Irish MMA on the map".
Determined to give the Belfast crowd their money's worth, Colin is confident going into the fight and knows that with two strikers in the ring, the chances ofseeing a knockout are good.
"I don't think there's anyway on earth there'll be a submission finish in this fight. Sparks will fly that's for sure, it'll either be a standing finish or ground and pound, but either way its going to be me that wins".
Stevie Lynch
Undefeated welterweight fighter Stevie Lynch (4-0-0) can't wait to get into action of the undercard of UFC 72.
Until recently the 36-year-old couldn't find a sport he liked enough to compete in, but he has been making up for lost time by racking up four professional wins in 18 months.
"I've been doing MMA for about three years but I've only been fighting for about 18 months. I've always trained in boxing gyms and sparred with my friends, I went up to the MMA club for something different, and I just got into it." Working his way through the amateur ranks, Lynch proved adept at the sport, losing only one of his ten amateur contests. "I didn't do too bad. I only lost that one fight due to cardio." A hospital porter by day, Lynch says it isn't just the challenge of fighting that appeals to him, but the reaction he gets from the audience he fights in front of. "The first time I fought in front of a big crowd I just loved the atmosphere. I love coming out to a crowd. Coming out to a 2000 strong crowd [his biggest yet] was just fantastic, it's all about what I trained for".
If 2000 people was enough to send a shiver up his spine, then coming out to almost 9000 fans at the Odyssey Arena will be like nothing else he says. "I think the atmosphere will be unbelievable. This is the first time a real big MMA show has come to Belfast. The smaller shows we've had here, the crowd have really loved. It'll be unbelievable".
Lynch will be squaring off against Dustin Hazelett, 8-3-0. The Jorge Gurgel team member and Ohio-resident comes in with a good pedigree and an extensivef record, including two previous appearances in the UFC.
"He seems like a good striker and he's got very good BJJ. He seems confident. I think he'll stand, I'm more of a stand up fighter than ground but I think it's a 50-50 fight. He's a really tough opponent and I'm definitely up against it". With a strong sense of team spirit, Stevie cannot forget to thank the people who have helped him get onto the big stage. "I'd like to thank Davey Patterson for all the hard work he does in the background. Alec Doc, my boxing coach, Paul McCartney who is my Thai coach and Roberto Gallo for all the time and hard work he's put into my groundwork".
"I also want to thank Fighters Only magazine, Body City Skinworks tattoo studio and Pitbull Clothing for the sponsorship."
Quietly confidant and infinitely modest, Lynch says plainly that a win in front of his hometown crowd would mean the world to him. "I'm putting everything into this fight", he says.
Colin Robinson and Stevie Lynch represent the UFR Fight Team. Managed by David Patterson, the team train at various locations including the Progressive Combat Club. Details can be found by contacting David on 07710 53885 or heading to www.ultimate fightingrevolution.co.uk.
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