Issue 211

November 2024

Fighters Only’s social media editor, Ryan Burnyeat, picks out his highlights from the past month on MMA social media.

EL MATADOR’S MURAL PUNCHING ABOVE IT’S WEIGHT

Ilia Topuria’s new mural in Barcelona has fans stopping in their tracks. Positioned perfectly, the artwork captures Topuria mid-strike in a way that photography can make it look as though he’s sucker-punching everyone who walks by. While almost everyone admired the artistry, MMA always brings a little hate. A few keyboard warriors called him a fake Madrid fan and lamented that it was a shame he's Georgian. The mural went viral and became a mini tourist attraction, proving Topuria knows how to stir the pot in and out of the cage. Love it or hate it, the canvas belongs to El Matador.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DB6k_ult9JC

DOCTOR BY DAY, FIGHT BY NIGHT

Shi Ming’s double life is the stuff that belongs in a Marvel comic book. The Chinese-born doctor of acupuncture and physical therapy, who leads a double life as a fighter, shocked fans - and her family - with a spectacular head-kick knockout at UFC Fight Night 248 in Macau. Appropriately known as ‘Doctor Sleep,’ her secret skills captured the imagination of fans, proving she’s as skilled with her fists as she is with acupuncture needles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCzXBqvP0Wa

BONES’ LIONS ROAR ON CUSTOM SHORTS

Jon Jones strutted with style into the Octagon at UFC 309 after debuting his first-ever custom fight shorts. Featuring bold lion designs and his iconic Philippians 4:13 tattoo lettering, the gear showcases Jones’ kingly confidence as he defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. If you’re going to fight like a GOAT, you may as well dress like the king of the jungle. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCR1j5wsad6

OLIVEIRA'S MILLION-DOLLAR MILESTONE

Charles Oliveira isn’t just dominating fights - he’s rewriting MMA history. Surpassing $1M in bonuses, thanks to his win in UFC 309, the Brazilian phenom now holds records for finishes, fast-lane victories, and the most wins by a Brazilian in UFC history. His heartfelt reaction, thanking Jesus and his fans, reminds everyone why “Do Bronx” is one of the greatest ever to step inside the Octagon.

https://x.com/espnmma/status/1858215109765562878

STIRRING THE THANKSGIVING POT

The UFC asked their roster some pointed questions around Thanksgiving by getting fighters to say who they would and wouldn’t like to join their turkey feast. Colby Covington receives quite a few mentions, and in a previous Thanksgiving video, Sean Strickland also gets a shout-out for being the one who might bring the fun-sized outlandish opinions. All smiles. No beef. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC7smp8Co0c/?hl=en