MMA WORLDWIDE Nr. 17 by DUTCH123

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Features

ISSUE 17

VITOR BELFORT IS BACK!

The rollercoaster ride of a career we have ridden with Vitor Belfort may be coming to a peek. After a drop in weight and two huge knock out wins in Affliction, Belfort is back in the UFC with a fight against one of the toughest in the game, Rich Franklin. By Adam Villareal 35

Prospect Watch Daniel Cormier is one of the toughest American wrestlers today and he has his sights on the MMA world. How good is he? Take a look. By RJ Clifford

Wild Ride Through the Dark Ages Part II The UFC wasn’t always selling out the biggest venues in the country and breaking pay per view records. Travel back in time to the wild ride that was the early days of MMA. By Clyde Gentry III

Steroids With the cancelling of Affliction’s third show thanks to a positive drug test, its time to take a look at one of the most controversial subjects in all of sports. By Mike Harris

Brian Bowles He did the undoable and knocked out reigning bantamweight champion Miguel Torres to become the WEC champ. So what’s life like for the new champ? By Deshalen Barber

Josh Koscheck An original cast member of The Ultimate Fighter faces a cross roads in his career. Looking to bounce back from a KO loss, Koscheck is all about winning. By Marcos Villegas

Cover photo by Scott Harrison

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Columns

ISSUE 17

84 18

From the Publisher The sport of MMA is growing and growing in a way no one could have predicted.The techniques are getting crazy. So when are we going to see MMA’s version of a back flip?

The Last Word Your favorite MMA writer covers the latest events from UFC 101 and all the happenings of the fight world. Bring a pen and paper.

MMA Worldwide Rankings Big changes this month with the addition of the bantamweight and pound for pound rankings. Just in time for Brian Bowles’ run as champ.

From the Editor Fedor Emelianenko vs Brett Rogers. Not exactly a match anyone could have predicted a year ago but Strikeforce has made the right choice yet again.

Face Off Who will prevail? Lyoto Machida the karate master or Mauricio “Shogun” Rua the high flying muay thai specialist. Take a look as we break it down.

Gym Profile Team Link is home to Gabriel Gonzaga and some of the Northeast’s best grapplers.Take a look inside the walls of one of the most respected gyms in the country.

The Fight Nerd What happened to journalistic integrity? To all you bloggers out there, make sure you get your facts straight, the Fight Nerd is policing the web.

MMA Anatomy The Guillotine choke. One of the most common submissions in all of MMA has a nastier, dirtier side that will leave your throat sore just reading it.

Expert’s Roundtable They are the guys behind the scenes that bring the promoter, fighter, sponsor and fan all together.They are the MMA agents.

10 The World-famous

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MMA Worldwide Organization Robert Pittman Chairman/ President Sheree Brown-Pittman Co- Chairman/ Editor Bobby Pittman Publisher

FROM THE CHAIRMAN... Welcome to our 17th issue which I will call THE AWAKENING! We have been going along as if nothing could affect us. Being a sales professional (whatever that means) should prevent us from having a slow down, but we woke up and found that we are not immune to this bad economy. When someone asks us what type of business we are in and we say “ultimate fighting”, they automatically equate that with the huge success of the UFC and with us making tons of money without economic woes – Think Again! I read yesterday that even Zuffa isn’t selling out UFC 102 in Oregon based on the economy, so when Goliath is having trouble, we are all in for a long night.

Nicole Barton Controller/ CFO Dan Harkey General Manager RJ Clifford Editor-in-Chief Craig Vaughan Director Mark Allen Director Jacob Wells Editor Jeffrey Kimberlin Sales John Nguyen Customer Relations/Circulation Director Fred George Executive Staff/ Tour Crew/ Fitness Editor

That said, it isn’t all bad. After watching Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg and the spectacular job Scott Coker did putting together a card that changed as much as Brett Favre’s retirement (later on that), I must give him a real shout-out! Scott Coker, you are the man! I know he would just say “it was my people who did it all” and not take a moment of praise, but we congratulate you for a job well done. I salute the girls and what they have accomplished for so many down the road. Gina, you are still my favorite! In being the optimist that I am and trusting in our team, we have added 10 new offices to our company this month. We permanently hired our TV show editor to explore video production in-house. We have started building a complete photo and video studio in-house as well. We anticipate completion by October 15, 2009. If you are a Fighter interested in working with an honest group with A+ quality, give us a call for possible instructional DVD production and marketing. We are open to revenue share or buy-out plans. If you are a Company interested in having a video commercial shot and developed, give us a call as well. When you look at any of the 10 episodes of the MMA Worldwide TV Show, you can see the quality that we can bring to any new enterprises. Just give us a call at 714-226-0585 today! MMA Worldwide TV Show started airing last Friday night, August 7th. Beginning August 21st, we will air two times a night each week at 7:00pm & 7:30pm Eastern time on HDNet Friday nights. We wrote – shot – edited – colorized – mixed – and final cut the entire show ourselves with our staff. This is a real tribute to how far we have come as a production company. Our magazines have been the benchmark in the industry and now our TV show will bring us to the next level. With all the products we are developing and have in place, we are constantly looking for serious salespeople in all states. Please give Dan Harkey or Jeffrey Kimberlin a call at 714-226-0585 if interested. If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right! Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out!

Robert “The Closer” Pittman 12 The World-famous

Mike “Joker” Guymon Executive Staff Tour Crew Adam Villarreal Senior Contributing Writer Chris Staab Director of Multimedia Operations Lisa Williams Graphic Designer

Please Recycle This Magazine PRINT WHAT WE SELL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY At SMP Inc., we believe in minimizing paper waste by printing what we sell. We do not flood the magazine into mass markets, which typically sell fewer than 40 of every 100 copies they receive, and discard the unsold magazines. Our stance costs us sales, but saves extremely large amounts of paper. We encourage all publishers to put the environment first.

ISSN 1937-1071 SMP, Inc. as a publisher is an advertising platform and does not endorse or make representation, warranty or guarantee concerning the safety or effectiveness of either the products and services advertised in this magazine or the martial arts ads or other techniques discussed or illustrated in this magazine. The publisher expressly disclaims any and all liability relating to the manufacture, sale or use of such products and services and the application of the techniques discussed or illustrated in this magazine. The purchase or use of some of the products, services or techniques advertised or discussed in this magazine may be illegal in some areas of the United States or other countries. Therefore, you should check federal, state and local laws prior to your purchase or use of these products, services or techniques. The publisher makes no representation or warranty concerning the legality of the purchase or use of these products, services or techniques in the United States or elsewhere. Because of the nature of some of the products, services or techniques advertised or discussed in this magazine, you should consult a physician before using these products or services or applying these techniques.

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THE FUTURE OF MMA by Bobby Pittman excited, especially when you think that people have been jumping dirt bikes a hell of a lot longer than MMA has been around and they are still evolving.

As we have watched MMA over the years, we have continued to see growth in all areas. The business side of things has grown leaps and bounds with new fight leagues, clothing companies and gyms popping up every month. The sport itself has grown with athletic commissions throughout the country approving and regulating MMA in their states. From a fan perspective, the most interesting area to watch has been the growth of the fighters. It’s remarkable to see how far the fighters have come, becoming experts in striking, wrestling, submissions, conditioning, dieting and more. What excites me even more as a fan is thinking about how much farther these athletes will take it. Think back to the year 2000 when freestyle motocross riders like Carey Hart and Mike Meztger were first attempting back flips in competition. Everyone thought it was completely nuts! Today, no rider can expect to come anywhere close to a gold medal at those events without throwing a back flip in his repertoire. It has even become completely normal to see riders mixing back flips with other insane tricks and a few are even hitting double back flips. Try comparing this to MMA and it can get you pretty damn

When I put the two sports into perspective, I come away with a few questions… Do the skills that guys like Anderson Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, Lyoto Machida and Georges St. Pierre possess equal that of a single back flip? What are we going to see in MMA that’s going to equal the double back flip? When do I get to see a double f@#$%*g back flip in MMA?! If you have read my columns in the past, you may be noticing that this sounds a lot like one I’ve written before. However I don’t feel quite the same anymore. You see, I’ve realized that comparing a sport like freestyle motocross to MMA is like comparing apples to oranges. When I would try to answer the questions above about how far we could evolve, I started thinking about guys in MMA hitting moves like flying triangles, oma platas and other fancy moves that seem so farfetched in today’s competition. I would start to think that in a few years, guys would constantly be hitting crazy moves like this and it would be the norm, like the back flip. Then, something hit me. If all the fighters are evolving together, just like the riders in motocross, then of course they will have a whole new bag of tricks. However, in MMA you have an opponent who is trying to screw up every technique you throw out. It would be like a motocross rider having his competitors trying to crash

Bobby Pittman can be reached at bobby@MMAworldwide.com 14 The World-famous

into him midair while he is going for his back flip. Now I can ride a dirt bike, but you can bet your ass I wouldn’t be throwing myself upside down while some guy is launching himself into me. So how can I imagine a fighter going for some high-risk maneuver while his opponent is trying to throw him off his path? The truth is, I can’t. So what does the fighter’s evolution mean for us? I’d like to think that we have something incredible to look forward to, like all the other extreme sports, but I’ve been looking at MMA a lot different than I used to. Of course, the technique will still evolve and the fighters will come into the cage with some new skills, but I think the biggest evolution is going to be in the athletes themselves... just have a look at Brock Lesnar. I think that our “double back flip” is going to be seeing a fight with guys who not only have all of the skills under their belts, but have incredible size, strength and stamina. Just imagine a heavyweight bout with two huge guys that won’t gas out in a title fight. That is a scary thing, but if you look at the cast of Season 10 on The Ultimate Fighter, you’ll see some of these athletes entering our sport, like former NFL players. Whatever happens, I’ll remain excited for whatever the future holds. To get a look at some of the future stars of MMA, be sure to stay tuned to our show, MMA Worldwide. It’s now airing on HDNet on Fridays at 4:00 and 4:30 pm, PST. When you see the Ruffo brothers, you’ll definitely be excited about the future of MMA.

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Fedor vs Brett Rogers Makes Sense . . . Sort of by RJ Clifford and it made zero sense for the UFC to slap their brand they have spent nearly sixteen years building next to a company that does not even have an American promoter’s license.) That left Affliction president Scott Coker with the opportunity to come in sweep up the pieces. Fedor had found a home. In the shadow of Brett Favre’s on again, off again can-I-possibly-stay-out-of-the-spotlight-for-a-year merry go round in the NFL, was another free agent sweepstakes. After Josh Barnett failed another drug test leaving Affliction without a dancing partner in their main event for consensus #1 heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Affliction did what so many MMA organizations have done before it . . . fold their cards and cash out. Although all twenty fighters on the card were left scrambling, none drew more attention than “The Last Emperor” and rightfully so. The long winning streak, the fact he speaks only Russian and the way he has brutalized five former UFC champions has created a mystique surrounding the Russian fighter that has both held the attention of longtime MMA fans and captured the imagination of new ones.

The only question remaining was who would he fight? At press conference held in New York City it was announced Fedor Emelienanko would meet undefeated heavyweight contender Brett Rogers. The announcement stirred an echo of cheers and boos from the fans present for the announcement. Obviously there are mixed emotions on the matter. Brett Rogers is a good opponent for Fedor’s first foray into a cage; he has fought exclusively in a ring his whole career. First off, the Minneapolis native is a HUGE heavyweight. Standing 6’5”, the powerfully built contender has to cut weight to make the 265 pound weight limit. With Fedor fighting at a modest 230-235, it is a safe bet Rogers has the sumo aspect of the fight well covered.

It was not to be however.

Momentum is also on Rogers’ side. Having steam rolled through his competition, Rogers has finished all ten of his opponents with strikes using his fists like a wrecking ball blasting through a rundown, Detroit building. Rogers’ has jack hammered his way through the division with an average finishing time around three minutes. I think I’ve elaborated on his domination enough, plus I’m all out of construction machinery references.

Negotiations between the UFC and Fedor’s managing body M-1 Global came to a stop with both sides refusing to budge on the issue of co-promotion. (For whatever this journalist’s opinion is worth, it made little sense for M-1 to not co-promote since that is their long term business plan for expansion

Competitive issues aside, he makes a marketable opponent as well. Strikeforce can sell the public into believing Rogers has a legitimate chance to dethrone Fedor, which he does. He is a genuine top ten heavyweight, ranked #6 by MMA Worldwide and has knocked off former UFC champion Andrei

The alpha male of American fight promoting, UFC, wanted to cash in on that mystique and truly test if Fedor was really human. The lines were drawn on the bargaining table and negotiations began. With a battleground like a bargaining table that Dana White, president of the UFC, had conquered so many times before, White all be assured us Fedor would be fighting in an eight sided cage soon.

RJ Clifford can be reached at RJ@MMAworldwide.com 16 The World-famous

Arlovski in quick and brutal fashion. He has fought on CBS, Showtime and has beaten name opponents like James Thompson and Ron Humphrey, competitor on BET’s Iron Ring reality series. Also, Rogers is ready. This is a bout he sought after immediately following the news of Barnett’s failed test. His confidence is high and he is prepared for big, main event responsibility. Just hours before his bout with Humphrey he told me how calm and well composed he stays prior to fight time. How he keeps his mental state in check and his body ready, the sometimes too often overlooked skills of a tried veteran. It makes even more sense for Strikeforce since late fall for MMA is getting packed. UFC 104-106 all occur within one month of each other from October 24th to November 21st with a heavyweight title fight ending the run with Shane Carwin taking on media hogging Brock Lesnar. Strikeforce needs a familiar face to stay relevant in the heavyweight division during this time. All this makes sense until you sit back, catch your breath and realize there is a 6’6” Dutch elephant in the room; one with a guillotine from hell that complements his kickboxing ability. That elephant of course is Alistair Overeem, the current Strikeforce heavyweight champion. By not giving Fedor an immediate title shot, Coker is basically saying Fedor may be the best in the world but he is not good enough to fight for our title. That’s like telling Usain Bolt he needs to crawl before he can walk. Regardless of what Overeem might think about his dust covered championship strap, Fedor vs Rogers is here and it’s a good one. The winner will walk away the best heavyweight in MMA and the loser will be back to drawing board. Maybe the Minnesota Vikings are looking for some offensive linemen.

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MAILBAG FORREST GRIFFIN Loved the last cover of MMA Worldwide with Forrest Griffin on the cover. Am I wrong in thinking that was his first time in a suit? —Preston Hayner Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Forrest has to be the most interesting personality in all of MMA. Every interview I have seen of his has him joking around, barely answering the questions and going off on random tangents. Take all of that and add the fact he is one of the craziest, head first fighters that doesn’t seem to care if he gets hit and you have one hell of a marketable fighter. —Chris Kellers Macon, GA (Forrest Griffin) really has had a career full of ups and downs but losing to Anderson Silva can’t be that big of downer. Yes Silva’s a middleweight but he is the best pound for pound fighter in the world and didn’t look that much smaller than Forrest. —Nick Leary Wichita, KS

CAIN VELASQUEZ

DARK AGES

NEW YORK

Cain seems like one of those old school, old fashioned fighters that just wants to fight and doesn’t care for the glitz and glamour. A down to earth, no BS type of guy like Cain is breath of fresh air with all these prima donnas running around these days. —Trent Morgan Long Island, NY

It’s amazing to see how far the sport has come from the first UFC. Just a couple thousand people in the stands, cable companies taking off the air, politicians trying to kill it. Now we have MMA on multiple TV channels, regulated all over and breaking pay per view records left and right. Who would have thought? —Rick Wheeler Fresno, CA

What is New York’s deal??? With the majority of the states sanctioning MMA, for some reason New York can’t get on board. Is it really just this Bob Reily guy dragging down the whole process or is the whole legislature still think Tank Abbott is head butting people in 1996? They need to get their act together we can see fights in Madison Square Garden. —Rob Barazi Sussex, NJ

I too remember the “Dark Ages” of the UFC when it was like the Wild West. No rules, no regulations with some of the fights being held in venues like tents. It did have its perks though. When I attended UFC 21 I scalped tickets for $15. That won’t even pay for parking in a modern UFC event. —Garrett Ferguson Des Moines, IA

JOSE ALDO

It seems the UFC has looked in the past to push Hispanic fighters like Diego Sanchez and Roger Huerta to make a move into Mexico and the rest of Latin America. I say, push Cain Velasquez. He embodies the Mexican fighting spirit with his no frills outlook on fighting and life. Not to mention he kicks ass! —Hector Morales Amarillo, TX

This guy has to be the next big thing at 145. The way he has blasted through everyone he has fought in the WEC is nothing short of fantastic. What everyone is forgetting about is his teammate Wagnney Fabiano who is also on a winning streak. Will these guys have to face each other in the near future if they keep winning in the weight class in the same organization? —Michael Ventura San Diego, CA

To C o n t a c t M M A Wo r l d w i d e : Email us at mailbag@mmaworldwide .com or check us out on Myspace at www.myspace .com/mmaworldwidemagazine . Make sure to include your name and hometown. 18 The World-famous

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The Responsibility of the MMA Press by Matthew Kaplowitz

Towards the end of July, a fake story was posted on a certain MMA forum claiming that UFC veteran Kimo Leopoldo had died from a heart attack, the only source being the thread starter who claimed he had “insider” information. This “news” was picked up by the NY Daily News, CNN, Fox News and TMZ, who wrote that they had confirmed the news, but one sentence later recanted it saying they had not exactly confirmed Kimo’s demise (TMZ later removed the article from their site and did not even make a correction to their post). Kimo arose from the dead, or rather a heavy sleep, hours later to inform his publicist that he was very much in fact alive. Leopoldo later held a press conference and has been in talks of taking legal action against the person who started the rumor of his death. The question here is why did so many members of not just the MMA press, but mainstream media, pick up this unsubstantiated rumor and report it as news? At what point is it acceptable to print a rumor that has no source cited to even give some credibility to it? Internet news has given us information at the speed of light, and with that much access to ideas, it has become a competi-

tion to see who can get the news out first. Granted, this is nothing new and the right to say company so-and-so got here first is a big deal. But it seems within MMA news, many newsies are content to spend more time reprinting rumors than they are checking facts and sources. Check out some of your favorite MMA news sites and take a look at their daily news. See which ones post more confirmed news and which ones report rumors. Don’t get me wrong; I am not bashing any particular sites or people. I’m just wondering why so much of our “news” is not even news. The constant updates of rumors are also part of a strategy, taking advantage of the transient nature of the Internet. The more a particular site updates, the greater the chance you the viewer will return to see what’s new. More traffic means more money from advertisers, and thus bills are paid and homes are kept lit up and warm. There is nothing wrong with being financially secure, but will it make that big of a difference if we ignore a rumor for a day? Even if it's a slow news day, there is plenty of random MMA-related goodies to be found on YouTube that can keep viewers entertained or perhaps the writers can write some editorials, since opinions always drive discussion and traffic. MMA has also given a voice to many people who are not necessarily trained journalists and this could be part of the

problem. With no editor to show them the ropes, let alone teach them the Journalist’s Code of Ethics, these makeshift reporters have no problem posting rumors and treating them as fact. Being a reporter does not mean re-posting other website’s information and adding your opinion to it, but knowing how to find stories, confirm them, and report them without bias. It is hard to compete with other sites for traffic, I know that for a fact, and reporting rumors is a way to add more content and bring returning hits, but at the loss of your credibility. This sport is still young and very open to contact between fighters, managers and fans, so there is no reason a person cannot at least attempt to contact the source and see if they can reach a conclusion about the rumor. My point to all this ranting is to just show my quiet outrage for this poor reporting from several different sources. This has not been the first time the press has picked up wrong information, such as recently when a Wikipedia entry was altered and picked up as fact by mainstream media. The Internet is still not a truly reliable source of information so checking your facts is crucial. Even if you are unable to confirm your own stories, wait until someone else can! If you want to be part of the community that keeps MMA moving, do it right, whether you are a new blogger just excited to write or a bitter journalist who needs to check his facts.

Matthew Kaplowitz is the editor of thefightnerd.com, you can reach him at thefightnerd@gmail.com. 20 The World-famous

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Lots to Cover... By Adam J.Villareal all know that the money is in the

Anyway guys, I’m excited to report

rematch!

that in addition to my post at TapouT Magazine, MMA Worldwide and

Well here we are back again for yet another edition of “The Last Word” and tons of things have happened in this beautiful sport of mixed martial arts. For example, UFC 101 came and went with some expected and unexpected moments. I want to start by saying how happy I was to see the old BJ Penn back in the manner in which we were accustom to. He came in such great physical condition, and that coupled with his aggression, made for a stunner of a match. Much was expected from Penn after his highly-publicized loss to Georges St. Pierre as well. I know, you don’t need a

play-by-play

regarding

either

match, but in the end, redemption was the ultimate prize aside from retaining his coveted lightweight title. BJ became the hero again by proving why he is a “master”. Sorry Kenny, maybe next time. Besides, we

Was it just me or was anyone else

ESPN Radio, I have added something

shocked by Forrest Griffin’s post-

new to the resume in MMA City.

fight demeanor? If we rewind it to

MMACity.com is where you can

UFC 66, we saw a defeated Griffin

check out all of the goods in MMA as

overcome by emotion to the point of

far as news and the like. (Of course

tears, and in his latest match against

TapouT and MMA Worldwide maga-

Anderson Silva we saw him exit fast

zines are the best sources for inter-

without his post-fight interview. This

views and rankings and MMA educa-

was yet another odd ending for the

tion!) I’ll be writing a blog or two

usually funny and outspoken fighter.

and posting highlights from my

I remember the time he lost to Keith

ESPN show there as well. You may

Jardine and the way his emotions

even hear a familiar voice from our

overwhelmed him to the point of

magazine, Publisher Bobby Pittman,

what most believed were tears. Some

and

might say that at this level in his

Manager RJ Clifford, two of the

career, he should’ve honored the

glamorous stars of HDNET’s newest

UFC, Silva and the fans by not exit-

show, MMA Worldwide. This is a

ing so quickly. But two things are

great glimpse of the behind-the-

important here: #1: There is no shame

scenes stuff guys like us never get to

at all to losing to the best in the busi-

see. I think we’ll even see some fire-

ness and #2: Forrest Griffin could

works from the boss man, Mr.

kick the shit out of 99% of the

Pittman. I smell a new father/son duo

world’s population, so making fun of

here, so move over Paul Teutul Sr. &

him for being emotional should never

Jr.! Be sure and check your local list-

be an option!

ings for this new gem. Ok sleepy eyes

slave-driving

Production

need sleep and we’ll see you soon!

Give me your thoughts and we may publish them in the next issue. Email me at adam@tapoutmagazine.com and let’s see who gets “The Last Word”! 22 The World-famous

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FACE

In his very first light heavyweight title defense, Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida will put his belt and undefeated record on the line against the former Pride light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.Will Shogun be able to call on his inner Chute Boxe and relive his Pride roots or will Machida continue his winning ways and reinvigorate the martial art of karate?

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua RECORD 18-3 Ran roughshod though the Pride 205 pound division before dropping his first fight in the UFC before bouncing back with two straight wins LAST FIVE OPPONENTS Win Chuck Liddell, Win Mark Coleman, Loss Forrest Griffin, Win Alistair Overeem, Win Kazuhiro Nakamura GREATEST VICTORY After defeating Alistair Overeem earlier in the night, Shogun knocked out Brazilian Top Team rival Ricardo Arona with hammer strikes to win Pride Final Conflict +1 Shogun STRIKING Like a video character, Shogun’s Chute Boxe roots run deep with brutal punches, kicks, knees, stomps and soccer kicks along with the flash of flying strikes WRESTLING Has done a decent job of throwing around kickboxers and Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters in Pride SUBMISSIONS Brazilian jiu-jtsu black belt under Cristiano Marcelo has proven very versatile on the ground +1 Shogun EXPERIENCE Has fought in Brazil, Japan and the US against top competition in over 20 fights +1 Shogun INTANGIBLES Injuries appeared healed, cardio issues starting to come together, getting acclimated to fighting in a cage

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OFF! Lyoto Machida

RECORD 15-0 Owns the ever important “0” in the loss column having defeated the likes of Rich Franklin, BJ Penn,Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans +1 Machida LAST FIVE OPPONENTS Win Rashad Evans, Win Thiago Silva, Win Tito Ortiz, Win Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Win Kazuhiro Nakamura +1 Machida GREATEST VICTORY In a battle of undefeated fighters, Machida finally got his shot at light heavyweight gold and responded with a brutal, one sided knock out of previous champ Rashad Evans STRIKING Striking with the precision of a surgeon, Machida’s karate style has become the stuff of legends almost never getting hit while landing the majority of his strikes +1 Machida WRESTLING Has taken down the likes of Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou,Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans +1 Machida SUBMISSIONS Also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, has two submissions to his name EXPERIENCE Also has traveled the world over and has championship experience INTANGIBLES Current champion, confidence sky high with 15 fight win streak, more UFC experience +1 Machida MACHIDA WINS 5-3 While Machida’s stock continues to rise as he only gets better with each and every fight, Shogun has yet to show UFC fans the flash that made him so dangerous in Pride.A championship bout put together as a result of a lack of other potential challengers, Shogun bites off too much too soon. www.mmaworldwide.com 25

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The Kimbo Show by Karl Maple

Stripped to the waist with the hazy Florida sunshine shimmering across his broad back, Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson marches toward his opponent, hands lowered and chin in the air. “Hit me!” he screams. It is an order that the equally imposing “Big D” duly obliges, throwing a looping left-right combination that lands exactly where intended with no effect. “Hit me!” comes the cry again. This time there is no strike forthcoming. The fight has visibly drained from “Big D” and against a backdrop of rickety-paneled fencing and lawn furniture, he concedes with his right eye bloodied and bruised into disfiguration. In the backyards and side streets of Miami, Kimbo Slice is impervious to pain and virtually unbeatable. Five years later, October 4, 2008, and Slice is again stripped to the waist. The crowd is considerably larger and the arena considerably grander, but the basic premise remains. Thousands have taken their seats inside the Bank Atlantic Center in Florida and millions at home have settled in to watch Kimbo Slice fight. A 6'2” sculpture of aggression, complete with bulging biceps, unruly facial hair and a balding head, Slice looks every inch the mythical figure, chronicled in the grainy amateur footage of the Internet. The former strip club bouncer and porn baron bodyguard stares intently across the cage.

His opponent appears modest by comparison. Seth Petruzelli looks like the forgotten member of a boy band. Tufts of electric pink dye lace his spiky hair and a deliberate effort has been made with the precision of his goatee. His body is as unspectacular as possible for a professional athlete and he weighs a full 30 pounds less than Slice, having agreed to the fight just a few hours beforehand. It would take Petruzelli just 14 seconds to emphatically expose the myth of Kimbo Slice. Just as he had all those years before, Slice marched forward toward his opponent, hands lowered and chin in the air. A standing front kick, straight right and a referee stoppage promptly followed. In the dangerous and unforgiving world of Mixed Martial Arts, Kimbo Slice is underskilled and inexperienced. On September 16, 2009, the latest exploits of the fighter formerly known as Kevin Ferguson premieres on Spike TV. Slice will compete against 15 fellow prospective heavyweight contenders for the solitary sixfigure contract granted the victor of The Ultimate Fighter 10. His co-inhabitants within the house that “Griffin-Bonner” built include former IFL Champion Roy Nelson, controversial Hammer House giant Wes Sims, four former American footballers and a decorated collegiate wrestler, who holds a rare high school victory over the current champion Brock Lesnar. Athletic, talented and experienced fighters lace the cast list and yet, once more, the focus will rarely stray from the bearded brawler with a professional record of 3-1. It is the contradiction of a logical underdog who will be embarrassed by defeat.

Karl is a staff writer for FiveKnuckles.com. 26 The World-famous

Slice himself is aware of the scalp he will provide the man who defeats him. Macho sound bites of a “bullseye” on his back and comparisons between his temporary residence and “prison” cannot mask the true motivation behind his decision to join MMA’s premiere talent competition: opportunity. The opportunity to prove himself. The opportunity to learn. The opportunity to join the ranks of the leading MMA promotion. The opportunity for credibility. Slice has left behind his family, friends and comfort zone for the toughest of inductions into a fraternity that has openly derided him from the beginning. Frank Mir decided that “every time Kimbo fights he sets the sport back,” Frank Trigg fumed that all Slice's “time on T.V [...] overshadows the best fight on the card,” whilst Dana White simply noted that “Kimbo Slice sucks.” Indeed it is a testament to Slice's desire to succeed that he has allayed the convenient career of side show attraction in smaller promotions for a month long endurance trial of isolation, testosterone and ill-judged practical jokes. A lesser character may have accepted the role of novelty fighter and sought acceptance abroad, but by choosing to enter the dangerous proving ground of TUF, Slice has already discredited any accusations against his dedication to becoming an elite fighter. Kimbo Slice probably won't win The Ultimate Fighter. Depending on his first opponent he may not even win a fight. His mere presence in the competition suggests that far from being a street thug intent on making a quick buck at the expense of the sport’s credibility, he is a dedicated and inexperienced fighter willing to learn and prove himself. Now that is worth watching.

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by Andrew Bonsall and RJ Clifford

The main card to Strikeforce: Cyborg vs Carano saw Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Fabricio Werdum bounce back from a recent loss against tough journeyman Mike Kyle. After a brief scramble on the ground the seemingly inevitable happened with Werdum locking his arms around the neck of Kyle and forcing a tap to a guillotine choke. Even though it is one of the most common submissions in all of MMA with defense technique to it practiced regularly, it is still one of the most effective.Why is it so effective?

WHAT HAPPENED?

Trachael chokes are more painful than chokes that restrict blood movement yet less likely to cause unconsciousness.

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The guillotine choke is a chokehold applied from in front of the opponent. The choke involves using the arms to encircle the opponent's neck in a fashion similar to a guillotine. The technique is either a type of tracheal compression restraint that prevents air flow to the lungs or a blood choke depending on how it is applied. When executed from the ground, the person applying it will try to control the opponent by the hips, for instance using a closed guard. It can be applied from the standing position but with less leverage. An air choke or tracheal choke specifically refers to a chokehold that compresses the upper airway (trachea, larynx or laryngopharynx), hence interfering with breathing and leading to asphyxia. This differs from the more technically sound choking movements which generally involve constriction of the carotid arteries. Though this distinction may at first seem subtle it is in fact significant (commonly referred to as "blood" and "air" chokes respectively). Air chokes are highly inefficient and may result in damage to the opponent's trachea, sometimes even resulting in death. In contrast, blood chokes directly cut the flow of blood off to the opponent's brain causing a rapid loss of consciousness without damaging the internal structure. Given that 1) air chokes tend to take longer to apply than blood chokes 2) air chokes require strength rather than technique and 3) air chokes are more likely to damage your partner it should be obvious that blood chokes are superior.

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Muscular

Hyoid Bone

Carotid Artery

Thyroid Cartilage Crevical Vertebrea

Esophagas Cricoid Cartilage

Carotid Artery

Trachea (throat)

Tracheal Cartilages

HOW BAD IS IT?

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Although less effective at inducing unconsciousness than its vascular counterpart, the air choke causes excruciating pain and air hunger, causing a fighter to usually submit to such a submission hold. Damage caused by an air choke can range from mild discomfort to severe damage to the trachea. Some symptoms on the milder side include sore throat, speech that is both raspy and at a lower volume and painful breathing and swallowing. A more serious result from an air choke has been associated with fractures of the larynx or hyoid bone as well depending on the strength of the fighter applying the choke.

It's important to note that while the reaction to a blood choke might be relatively innocuous ("OK, I've been here before, work my defense. Get out or tap....") the reaction to an air choke is typically much more violent and unpredictable ("Holy crap, someone's trying to kill me . . . panic!"). It is important to remain calm, try to breathe normally and work the defense to the choke hold. If a victim remains unconscious for longer than 15-20 seconds from any sort of choke, immediate medical attention is required. There can be damage to the trachea, larynx or any other crucial component of the neck that can lead to permanent damage.

Andrew Bonsall has a BA in Kinisiology from Long Beach State University and a Masters in Educational technology. He is also a credentialed medical illustrator. www.mmaworldwide.com 29

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BANTAMWEIGHT 135

BRIAN BOWLES

Miguel Torres

Masakatsu Ueda

Takeya Mizugaki

Dominick Cruz

FEATHERWEIGHT 145

MIKE THOMAS BROWN

Urijah Faber

Hatsu Hioki

Leonard Garcia

“Lion” Takeshi Inoue

Joseph Benavidez

Wagnney Fabiano

Will Ribeiro

Jose Aldo

Akitoshi Tamura

Rafael Assuncao

Takafumi Otsuka

Masanori Kanehara

Manny Tapia

Damacio Page

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Upset of the year? KO’s 135 pound king Miguel Torres for WEC title. Retains Shooto title and undefeated record in his seventh straight decision.

From prospect to contender with win over Benavidez at WEC 42.

Makes his third title defense against fast rising Jose Aldo.

Takes belt from Mishima with unanimous decision.

Becomes first Sengoku featherweight champion in an improbable tournament.

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TITLES

AS OF August 26, 2009

UFC

WEC

BELLATOR

DREAM

DEEP

STRIKEFORCE SENGOKU

SHOOTO

LIGHTWEIGHT 160

BJ PENN

Joachim Hansen

Shinya Aoki

Eddie Alvarez

Tatsuya Kawajiri

Kenny Florian

Gesias “JZ” Calvancante

Frankie Edgar

Sean Sherk

Josh Thomson

Made it look easy defeating Kenny Florian by rear naked choke in the fourth.

Ring rust? Going to defend his title against Aoki after a year of inactivity. Forced out of title fight with Melendez again with leg injury.

WELTERWEIGHT 170

GEORGES ST. PIERRE

Jon Fitch

Thiago Alves

Jake Shields

Josh Koscheck

Matt Hughes

Martin Kampman

Carlos Condit

Karo Parisyan

Mike Swick

Avenges teammate Josh Koscheck’s loss to Paulo Thiago at UFC 100.

More rumored bouts at middleweight in Strikeforce.

Faces Dustin Hazelett at UFC 106.

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MIDDLEWEIGHT 185

ANDERSON SILVA

Dan Henderson

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT 205

LYOTO MACHIDA

Rashad Evans

Jorge Santiago

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson

Yushin Okami

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

Vitor Belfort

Anderson Silva

Demian Maia

Forrest Griffin

Robbie Lawler

Rich Franklin

Keith Jardine

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

Luis Arthur Cane

Nate Marquardt

Yoshihiro Akiyama

Chael Sonnen

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Meets Chael Sonnen at UFC 105 October 24.

Loss to Jake Shields leaves Lawler’s future in question.

Win over Dan Miller puts him back in the swing of things.

Makes first title defense against Shogun at UFC 104 in Los Angeles.

2-0 at 205. Contemplating fights at 185, 205 or even heavyweight.

All signs point toward the “other” Nogueira brother making his UFC debut soon.

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TITLES

AS OF August 26, 2009

UFC

WEC

BELLATOR

DREAM

DEEP

STRIKEFORCE SENGOKU

SHOOTO

HEAVYWEIGHT 205 AND ABOVE

FEDOR EMELIANENKO

Josh Barnett

Brock Lesnar

Frank Mir

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Brett Rogers

Andrei Arlovski

Randy Couture

Alistair Overeem

Shane Carwin

After Affliction folds, Strikeforce swoops in on Fedor planning for a fight this fall.

Gets a shot at #1 Fedor. But is he ready for the world’s best?

From up and comers to title challenger facing Lesnar in his first defense.

POUND FOR POUND

ANDERSON SILVA

Georges St. Pierre

Fedor Emelianenko

Lyoto Machida

Can he dominate two weight classes?

A win over Josh Barnett would have gone a long way for his pound for pound status.

Mike Thomas Brown

Jon Fitch

BJ Penn

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson

Rashad Evans

Thiago Alves

Pound for pound greats coaching against each other on The Ultimate Fighter.

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Prospect Watch Daniel Cormier Daniel Cormier, 2x US Olympic Wrestler and 6x U.S Senior National Champion, has officially begun his professional career in MMA. Cormier adds to the long list of Olympic wrestlers in MMA like Dan Henderson, Matt Lindland, Mark Coleman and Mo Lawal. Known for his extraordinary talent and physically aggressive, explosive style of wrestling, Cormier will soon begin training at the world-renowned American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, California under “Crazy” Bob Cook, Javier Mendez and Dave Camarillo.

ACCOLADES 2x United States Olympian: Freestyle ('08 Beijing, '04 Athens) 6x U.S National Champion 8x U.S National Team Member 2002-2009 Ranked #1 in the U.S 2008 U.S National Champion 2008 U.S Olympic Trials, Champion 2008 U.S Olympic Team Captain 2008 NJCAA Hall of Fame Inductee 2007 World Championships, Bronze Medalist 2007 USA Wrestling Freestyle Wrestler of the Year 2007 Pan Am Games, Bronze Medalist 2006 World Cup, Champion 2005 World Cup, Silver Medalist 2005 Yarygin International Tournament, Champion *toughest tournament in the world, only 6th American to win

Photos by Larry Slater

2005 Super Cup, Silver Medalist ( Russia ) 2004 Olympic Games, 4th place ( Athens ) 2004 Titan games, Champion 2004 Boutiatyr Grand Prix, Champion ( Russia ) 2003 Pan Am Games, Champion 2003 World Championships, 5th place 2003 Yarygin International Tournament, Bronze Medalist 2003 Absolute World Championships, Bronze Medalist 2002 Pan Am Games, Champion 2001 NCAA Championships, Silver Medalist 3x NCAA College All-American 2x NJCAA National Champion (‘97,’98) 3x Louisiana State Champion 1995 Cadet World Championships, Bronze Medalist

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A WILD RIDE THROUGH THE DARK TIMES Part 11 Story and photos by Clyde Gentry III

or those of you who didn’t read the first installment, I spent January 1999 through September 2000 traveling to out-of-the-way places to attend the UFC since it had been kicked off pay-per-view. It was a time where there was no Dana White, no Joe Rogan, cheap tickets and SEG was just trying to keep the ship afloat. Media was whoever showed up and the mainstream press could care less at this point. But I was out to write the first history book on a sport that didn’t have a definitive name at the time, though “mixed martial arts” had been bandied about a lot more than the title of my book, No Holds Barred.

The second part of my story begins on March 10, 2000 at UFC 24: First Defense which was to be headlined by heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman against Pedro Rizzo. The night air must have had something afoul as the Louisiana crowd preceded to get into quite a few scuffles before the event even started. As for the fight itself, it never happened. I remember walking backstage and seeing Randleman laid out. It seems someone had left a bunch of metal pipes on the floor and the area wasn’t all that well lit. Literally minutes before the main event fight, Randleman had slipped on these pipes and was knocked out cold. Without any real regulatory bodies or anything at this point, I took it upon myself to tap Tim Lajcik as someone who could possibly step in and fight Rizzo. Crazy as it seems, it made sense to me at the time and Lajcik, who had a moderate

career in the sport, even had a brief discussion with SEG brass over the matter. With where the UFC stood in the public’s eye, I just hated to see the main event get scrapped, leaving folks with only seven fights. The venture didn’t go through obviously. Then SEG/now Zuffa matchmaker Joe Silva told me that when the crowd hears there is no main event, it ain’t gonna be pretty. I quickly went and told a few folks, including Andy Anderson, and we got out of the madhouse before anyone was the wiser. The continuation of this story would pick up a few months later at UFC 26: Field of Dreams when Randleman and Rizzo would hopefully get their chance to dance. When I arrived, I greeted Rizzo in the hotel lobby and he didn’t look right. He had some tape over a cut above his nose if I remember and his head didn’t look he was ready for the fight at all. If I was a betting man, I would have laid everything down on Randleman, but the night was still young. On the night before the event in Iowa, I had just checked into the hotel and was already having a drink with Andy in his room...it was too early to place any bets. In walked Kevin Randleman, who is probably the most hyper person I have ever seen. He’s also a physical specimen, and though I had met him a few times, it certainly wasn’t under these circumstances. After Randleman joined in for a few drinks of his own, he started hopping. Now for anyone who has seen Randleman just minutes before a fight, the man loves to hop really high, perhaps

Calm before the storm as Mark Coleman watches over Kevin Randleman. www.mmaworldwide.com 37

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as a way to calm himself down. While Andy and I were downing shots, next thing I knew, Kevin was hopping over both of Andy’s double beds, hopping over one, then the other, then repeating the process. After an hour or so, a loud knock came at the door. Would-be security for our loud indiscretions turned out to be Mark Coleman, Randleman’s friend and mentor. I’ll never forget what he said next: “C’mon Kev, go to bed…we’ve got a championship fight tomorrow.”

The only shirts that people were talking about back then were worn by Tito Ortiz, the darling of the UFC at the time. Despite being off the radar for most people, the Internet forums buzzed about the ongoing rivalry between Ortiz and the Lion’s Den which began at UFC 13 when Ortiz lost to Guy Mezger. The Sizing both of these men up just hours Lion’s Den didn’t even One of the few bright spots about these apart, I really didn’t know who was going look like the Lion’s Den early venues is getting a Big Ass Beer! to win, but Randleman ended up pulling anymore back in 1999. Team Punishment…well in my head anyout the decision and I was standing right With Shamrock back in the picture from way. by him when Jeff Blatnick conducted the his pro wrestling days, the clean cut post fight interview. The crowd had no group of guys had morphed into someAs the headlining event of UFC 22 startidea that I was partying with the UFC thing akin to the Black Panthers with ed, I took a seat in the tech zone next to champion the night before he defended camouflage pants, black shirts and a lot Paul Herrera and Tank Abbott. (For those the belt. But after spending so many of attitude…not to mention funny hats. who don’t know the significance, Herrera years in this sport, in one capacity or Going to these UFC fights was part seewas Ortiz’s first wrestling coach and another, anything is possible behind the ing the actual matches and part witnessAbbott got Ortiz into MMA but the two scenes. ing this rivalry continue with Ortiz leadbecame enemies…Tank was no longer ing the charge. Despite the “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” at this the process of writing a point.) Now earlier in this event I pulled book on the sport, there up a chair next to these two who were was a legitimate “fan sharing a big bottle of Stoli’s Vodka that boy” part of me as well they had stored under the table. I had and I’m not ashamed of already interviewed both of these men for that. SEG’s focus on my book and there was definitely a “fan Ortiz certainly wasn’t out boy” moment meeting Tank in person of line when you consider because he was everything I thought he he was a “company man” would be. who really knew how to sell a fight. Paula Romero I remember going over the story of (Queen of the SEG UFC), Paul Herrera’s first fight in the Octagon where But there was another Herrera and Tank Abbott. I “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge literally man who could stack up wonder what they are drinking? created a crucifix with his legs and arms, to the hype and on and pounded Herrera’s head with his Broadcast to less than 30% of its original September 24, 1999, Ortiz would fight massive elbows…it didn’t end well. I pay-per-view universe, UFC talent could Frank Shamrock in one of the most excitguess Herrera never read my book find bigger paychecks overseas at Pride ing fights I’ve ever personally seen up because when I told him the story of why Fighting Championships (which later close. How close was I? Well I remember and how Goodridge was able to pull off became the biggest buyout snafu in sitting in Ortiz’s dressing room before the that maneuver so quickly, he literally lost American history), the venues started match. His corner men, friends and manit and started downing more shots. (He’s running together, and the fan experience ager surrounded him as he played loud a completely different person today, for had a lot to be desired. If you went to a rock music in an almost ritualistic the record.) UFC these days, you could probably process…one I’m sure that has been spend a few thousand dollars buying copied many times over. Just seconds In a nut shell, Goodridge sent someone merchandise and still not even be close to before his door was to be opened, his over to watch Herrera train and they getting everything. Back then there were manager Sal Garcia pulled Ortiz’s head noticed that Herrera shot in for the same no fight programs and the “official fight close to his and they shared a brief word leg, the same way every time. Goodridge shirt” was basically a black shirt with the that only the two would know. And had zilch martial arts experience with Ultiman UFC logo on the front with simthen…I actually walked out with Ortiz in kuk sool wan; he was a paid sponsor of ply the date of the show on the his entourage to a horde of screaming sorts to wear the gi. So they told back…that’s it! It was pathetic. fans. This was an incredible experience Goodridge to just stand there, and when and for a few moments, I was part of 38 The World-famous

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incredible turnaround moments in the sport and hearing Shamrock retire from the UFC was both emotional and confusing as to how the story would continue.

uncut, unbridled and the feeling of unknowing was shared by everyone. I’m glad the sport did not end; the Internet and the grassroots effort kept the sport going during a time when the flame could have died. Athletes evolved, fighters understood the “it” factor and Zuffa picked up the mantle. It saddens me that the UFC has barred so many of the Internet sources that have kept the sport alive, but at the same time, the UFC is, and always will be, the Superbowl of MMA.

After that fight, I spent time with Ortiz and his entourage and hours later, we would find ourselves at the most run-down titty A shot of the “new” Lion's Den during bar straight out of a bad Tito Ortiz's rematch with Guy Mezger. 1970’s grindhouse flick. Whenever I explain my love for MMA, I It had one stage with a came back to one very simple thing: it’s Herrera went for the leg, all he had to do ten-foot walkway with cheesy lights on the only major sport where a fan can was execute that crucifix move that they either side and the dancers were someactually have a conversation and possibly had practiced over and over. When I thing out of a David Lynch wet dream— have a drink with the athlete they came to informed Herrera of the notion, he went husky, curvy and not exactly what most watch that night. MMA fighters are cut into a rage and the more intoxicated he male patrons would want to see. But who from a very unique clothe and they truly got, the more Stoli’s I swiped for myself. cared? I showed up with Tank and comunderstand the need to talk with fans and As ballsy as it was, I had all these emopany, bought the man a tall Stoli’s—I figshare their experiences. My book No tions racing through my mind and someured I owed him one—and we sat there Holds Barred has been printed three how stealing some of Tank’s vodka made and watched this train wreck of “suptimes over and I’m happy to see a plethothe whole experience go down just a litposed male unwinding.” I tle bit easier. was a little too drunk to After the fight with Tito: (from left) "Crazy" Bob Cook, Angie Shamrock remember too much after (former) and Frank. A couple of hours after my brief interacthat, but needless to say, tion with Abbott and Herrera, I was front it was an row center for a match that I had been experience…one I’m looking forward to for quite some time. I sure these guys have showed up early, I was one of the few lived and seen many folks (not connected to the fight) to be times over. there for weigh-ins and my anticipation was high. Yeah, during these days of the I watch the UFC—no UFC there was no fanfare for weigh-ins. matter what—every sinSometimes it was a crammed little room gle time it airs anything just big enough for the two fighters, their new. I just got my hands corners and officials. That was it. on a pristine set of “Secrets of the Clutching the side of the cage at times, I Octagon”—the jokingly, unbelievable set ra of books out there by fighters and othwatched Ortiz outwork and manhandle of instructionals released by SEG to add ers to teach and enlighten people about Shamrock for three straight rounds. to my collection. I can’t afford a $10,000 what a great sport we have to enjoy year Though Shamrock was crafty and kept ticket to be as close to the show anymore, around. The UFC’s Dark Ages are over; out of a lot of trouble, Ortiz was just but most of the fighters out there are still it’s a great time to be an MMA fan stronger, bigger and seemed to have the fairly accessible. I clearly remember a because we are seeing the best of the best upper hand. But as I had seen so many time going to an after-fight party for UFC come to fruition applying that great times before, Shamrock operates at 80% twenty-something where security would dynamic of being a true “mixed” martial until he sees a point of weakness before not let Randy Couture and Matt Lindland artist. Now I’m going to watch my idol, turning on up to 100% to finish his oppoenter; they did not have “all access” passRandy Couture, beat Rodrigo Nogueira nents. I had witnessed this in several of es and he didn’t know who they were. with a thick Stoli’s in my hand. Shamrock’s earlier fights (see his fight That’s not the case today by far. Couture against Enson Inoue) and that moment is a movie star and MMA legend; Clyde Gentry III is the author of NO i HOLDS BARRED, the first true history came in the fourth round where Lindland is up there too. book on mixed martial arts that was origShamrock’s energy level jumped after inally published in 2000 and republished stunning Ortiz. The match ended with The Dark Ages of MMA are hands down in 2002 and 2003. Well over 100 interShamrock pounding out Ortiz at 4:42 into my most memorable times with the sport, views were personally conducted to tell the fourth round; it was one of the most partly because those moments were the no-holds-barred truth about MMA. www.mmaworldwide.com 39

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STEROID USE IN MMA:

Genuine Affliction or Isolated Incidents? By Mike Harris Tim Sylvia admitted to taking steroids to “look the part”.

“Every guy who uses steroids to fight is a f***ing pussy.”

— Bas Rutten

ike just about every other sport, MMA has seen its share of career derailments due to alleged use of performance-enhancing steroids. Sean Sherk – who was stripped of his UFC lightweight belt despite his vehement protestations of innocence – Tim Sylvia and Vitor Belfort are three of the more well-known MMA steroid casualties.

But most recently, an entire promotion – Affliction – went belly up after one of its headliners, Josh Barnett, tested positive for the banned substance Drostanolone. Ten days before he was set to fight top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko in arguably the most important fight of his career on Affliction's third card, Affliction: Trilogy, on August 1, Barnett was denied a license by the California State Athletic Commission for steroid use. Affliction at first considered finding a last-minute replacement for Barnett, but then cancelled the pay-per-view card on July 24. Soon thereafter, Affliction, which had previously put on two well-received but financially unsuccessful MMA cards, decided to get out of the fight promotion game altogether and return to churning out its popular, MMAfriendly clothing line. (In announcing it was no longer going to promote fights, Affliction revealed that its clothing line would once again become a UFC sponsor. The UFC banned Affliction from sponsoring fighters on its roster in January 2008 when word surfaced that Affliction was planning its own MMA promotion. Affliction’s first card was called, appropriately enough, “Banned.”) Barnett, who had tested positive for steroids once before in 2002, resulting in his being stripped of the UFC heavyweight belt, did not reply to MMA Worldwide’s request for a comment for this article. But his case, the latest high-profile instance of alleged steroid use in

MMA, raises a host of questions. How widespread is the use of banned substances in MMA? Are the cases of Barnett, Sherk and others the exception or the rule? How does steroid use in MMA compare to that in other sports, including boxing, football and baseball? And lastly, why do fighters use anabolics, especially given the odds of them being caught are great? Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer, whose agency regulates MMA, boxing and kickboxing in Nevada – where Las Vegas is the MMA capital of the U.S. – said steroid use crops up fairly evenly in all three sports. “I don’t know if there’s a big difference in the three sports we regulate,” Kizer said. “I have no idea, of course, compared to other sports that we don’t regulate. But kickboxing, boxing and MMA, we’ve had (steroids in) ‘em all.” Having said that, however, Kizer added that he believes usage is down considerably in all three sports. “Especially compared to what it used to be,” he said. “That is definitely backed up by our results. We’re testing probably at least twice as many people as we used to, maybe even three times as many, and we’re getting very few positives. “I think this year all the fights we’ve had so far through the end of July, we’ve had one positive for a painkiller in MMA and then one positive for a steroid in boxing and that’s it,” he added. What accounts for the decline in steroid use? “A lot of things come into play,” he said. “Obviously, a lot of credit to the process here and in other states where guys are getting tested, guys have got caught in some very celebrated cases. www.mmaworldwide.com 43

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“Our goal is not to catch people,” he emphasized. “Our goal is to deter them from using in the first place. And I think that’s happening in a great amount.”

Josh Barnett has now tested positive twice.

Kizer said he believes another factor in steroid use being down was the heavily-covered congressional hearings on steroids in baseball a few years back. “It changed the public’s perception,” he said. “I used to see a lot of people say or write on message boards. They’d say things like, ‘He’s stupid. He shouldn’t have gotten caught.’ In other words, taking the steroids isn’t the sin. The sin is getting caught. And I think after those congressional hearings, that’s changed.” Kizer, a self-described “runner by heart,” cited infamous marathoner Rosie Ruiz, who in 1980 was stripped of her title as the first place female competitor in the 84th Boston Marathon when it was determined she had cheated, possibly by taking the subway during a portion of the race. “And no one thought, ‘Hey, good for her. She at least tried,’” Kizer said. “They said, ‘She’s a cheater.’ “That’s what you get now when people get caught using steroids. Four, five years ago, it was more like, ‘Wow, he should have done a better job masking it.’ Or, ‘Hell, everybody uses it. What’s the big deal?’You really don’t hear that very much anymore. Most people say, ‘That’s cheating. That’s not right.’ I think both the fighters and the fans now view it that way.” As a result, he said, fewer fighters are using steroids. “And that has made it easier for other fighters to say ‘No,’” Kizer said.

➤ POSITIVELY BUSTED: MMA’S STEROID HALL OF SHAME Any number of MMA fighters have tested positive for performance-enhancing steroids over the years. Here’s a list of 15 of the bestknown scofflaws – most of whom persist in maintaining their innocence, most emphatically Sean Sherk, or making excuses – in alphabetical order with pertinent details. ➤ JOSH “THE BABYFACED ASSASSIN” BARNETT

➤ PHIL “THE NEW YORK BAD

BUSTED (FIRST TIME): April 22, 2002 following his victory via TKO over Randy Couture at UFC 36. FOR: Boldenone; Fluoxymesterone; Nandrolone. PENALTY: Stripped of UFC heavyweight title; six-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). FESS UP? No.

BUSTED: July 7, 2007, following his technical submission loss to Frank Shamrock at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni.

BUSTED: October 26, 2006, following his unanimous decision loss at PRIDE 32 to Dan Henderson.

FOR: Boldenone; Stanozolol.

FOR: 4-Hydroxytestosterone.

PENALTY: Six-month suspension from the California State Athletic Commission; $2,500 fine.

PENALTY: Nine-month suspension from the NSAC; $10,000 fine.

BUSTED (SECOND TIME): July 21, 2009, the week before his scheduled main event fight with Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction: Trilogy. FOR: Drostanolone. PENALTY: At press time, still to be determined. FESS UP? No. 44 The World-famous

➤ VITOR “THE PHENOM” BELFORT

ASS” BARONI

FESS UP? No.

FESS UP? Claims he didn’t know the substance was banned in Nevada.

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“Because I think in the past a lot of fighters might think, ‘Hey, my opponent’s doing it, I need to do it to stay even.’Now they know that the odds are very strong that your opponent is not doing it. And if he does, he’s gonna get caught doing it. That kind of fear of being cheated against is pretty much gone.” Former MMA fighter Jeff Clark, who along with another former fighter, Matt Stansell, runs NCFC Fight Management in Carlsbad, California, said he doesn’t believe steroid use in MMA is as prevalent as in other sports like baseball and football. “I’d say it’s less because it’s so hard to know when the guys are fighting and when they get random tests,” said Clark, who represents the likes of Brandon Vera, Diego Sanchez and Roger Huerta. “It’s a little bit harder because there’s not a set schedule, where a lot of other sports have a set schedule. So it’s probably a little less because it’s harder to pull off.”

Even so, said Cox, who was representing both Sherk and Sylvia when they tested positive, says, “My guess would be that there are more fighters doing it than the general public thinks.” Without naming names, Clark said yes, some of the fighters he represents have tested positive for steroids in the past. “It’s always a little bit disheartening because a lot of times we won’t even know or they won’t tell us, and then you see a kid who has no money suspended for a year,” he said. “And the hard part is that a lot of the guys don’t know much about it and all of a sudden they get some guy in the gym (saying), ‘Oh you can perform better.’They do (steriods) and then test positive, and then all of a sudden they’re out for a year.” Clark said he counsels his fighters to not even go there.

Bettendorf, Iowa-based Monte Cox, widely considered the dean of MMA managers with a stable of some 60 fighters including Matt Hughes, Rich Franklin and Robbie Lawler, agreed with Clark, but for a much more basic reason.

“There’s too much to risk,” he said. “You get guys with really big careers and a lot going on; they’re going to fight an average of three times a year. You take a fighter out of the game for a year and I mean they become obsolete really quick. So there’s just too much risk to really even mess with it.”

“I think it’s less in MMA because guys in those other sports can actually afford it,” Cox said with a laugh.

Considering the testing procedures are more sophisticated than ever, why would a fighter take that risk?

Affliction VP Tom Atencio was forced to call off Affliction’s third event.

“It’s the same as every other sport,” Clark said. “The bar is so high on performance that any edge these guys can get…you want. So it comes down to mitigating the risk and the reward. If they think they can get that edge, get that bar and not get caught, I’m sure a lot of people are going to do it. Steroid use is rampant in every sport out there. That’s why I think MMA is even less than most.” Cox, who is also a veteran promoter with the Midwest’s Extreme Challenge, which he owns, said a lot of fighters think they know enough about steroids to beat the testing protocols. “A lot of people think they’re steroid experts, but a lot of people don’t know everything about steroids,” he said. “And I think some of the guys that have gotten caught thought they were doing the right thing by taking it and getting off it in time before a fight comes up so that it gets out of the system. I think that’s one of the mistakes.

➤ STEPHAN “THE

➤ EDWIN “BABYFACE”

AMERICAN PSYCHO” BONNAR

DEWEES

BUSTED: November 3, 2006, following his unanimous decision loss in his rematch with Forrest Griffin at UFC 62.

BUSTED: August 21, 2008, after his loss by TKO against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at Affliction: Banned.

FOR: Boldenone.

FOR: Nandrolone.

PENALTY: Nine-month suspension from the NSAC; $5,000 fine.

PENALTY: One-year suspension from the CSAC; $2,500 fine.

FESS UP? Yes.

FESS UP? N/A.

➤ HERMES FRANCA

➤ ROYCE GRACIE

BUSTED: July 19, 2007, following his unanimous decision loss to Sean Sherk at UFC 73.

BUSTED: June 14, 2007, following his unanimous decision win over Kazushi Sakuraba at Dynamite!! USA.

FOR: Drostanolone. FOR: Nandrolone. PENALTY: One-year suspension from the CSAC; $2,500 fine.

PENALTY: One-year suspension from the CSAC; $2,500 fine. FESS UP? No.

FESS UP? Yes.

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“I’m not an expert. I would have no idea when to stop,” Cox continued. “Someone might tell me, ‘You stop six weeks before, this will be gone.’ And maybe he’s off a week. Well, being off a week is a big deal. Being off a day is a big deal.”

Sherk defeated Hermes Franca prior to testing positive.

Cox said different fighters use different steroids for different reasons. “Some are doing it to get bigger,” he said. “Some are doing it to heal injuries. Some are doing it so that they can train harder. I don’t think you can say, ‘Every guy gets on steroids to get an advantage and get bigger.’ I mean a lot of them are just trying to stay healthy. I think it’s the same reason that athletes in other sports take a variety of things.” Cox said Sylvia, who tested positive for Stanozolol, more commonly known as Winstrol, in 2003, freely admitted taking the steroid in an attempt to chisel his famously flabby body. “Winstrol is a steroid that helps you get rid of body fat and thin up,” Cox said. “It’s not the kind of thing that you would take to add strength and endurance or any of that. I mean, Tim doesn’t need the strength. The guy’s an ox. And he doesn’t need endurance. He goes five rounds all the time. “You know, he was upset with his physical makeup,” Cox said. “Winstrol’s meant to make you look better. And Tim admitted, ‘I’m trying to look the part” of a chiseled fighter. “He goes, ‘everybody keeps making fun of my body.’ He was trying to get a shortcut and make himself look better.” Sylvia freely admitted using the steroid. “Oh yeah,” Cox recalled. “Soon as he tested, we came out with a release that said, ‘We did it.’ I went and asked him. I go, ‘What’s the deal?’ He goes, ‘Yeah, I did it. I feel like an idiot, but I did it.’” And what was Cox’s reaction? “I was glad he was honest with me. He wasn’t going to be one of those that didn’t come out and you know, denied it, and made excuses. And you know, he didn’t make any. He said, ‘I did it. And here’s why I did it.’And we left it at that. We took our punishment and he hasn’t done it since.”

➤ CHRIS “THE CRIPPLER”

➤ KIMO LEOPOLDO

LEBEN BUSTED: November 3, 2008, following his decision loss to Michael Bisping at UFC 89. FOR: Stanozolol PENALTY: Nine-month suspension; forfeit one-third of his fight purse. FESS UP? Yes.

46 The World-famous

BUSTED: August 16, 2004, following his TKO loss to Ken Shamrock at UFC 48. FOR: Stanozolol. PENALTY: Six-month suspension from the NSCA; $5,000 fine. Fess up? Yes. BUSTED (SECOND TIME): July 20, 2006, two days before he was set to fight Bas Rutten at WFA: King of the Streets. FOR: Stanozolol. PENALTY: Banned from fighting Rutten. FESS UP? Claimed it was a prescribed medication.

➤ NATE “THE GREAT” MARQUARDT

➤ KEN “THE WORLD’S

BUSTED: August 15, 2005, following his unanimous decision win over Ivan Salaverry at Ultimate Fight Night 1.

BUSTED: March 11, 2009, after his submission victory over Ross Clifton at War Gods: Valentine’s Eve Massacre.

FOR:Nandrolone.

FOR: Stanozolol; 19-Norandrosterone; 19-Noretiocholanolone.

PENALTY: Following two subsequent follow-up tests with negative readings for the drug, his suspension lifted by the NSAC; no fine. FESS UP? Said he was taking over-the-counter supplements and didn’t realize they would be tested.

MOST DANGEROUS MAN” SHAMROCK

PENALTY: One-year suspension from the CSAC; $2,500 fine. FESS UP? No.

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For his troubles to look more ripped, Sylvia was stripped of the UFC heavyweight title, received a six-month suspension from the NSAC and was fined $10,000. He won the title back in 2006. “His body still looks like shit,” Cox cracked. Sherk too was stripped of his UFC title – lightweight – when he tested positive for Nandrolone in 2007, and was fined $2,500. His one-year suspension by the CSAC was reduced to six months following his appeal in which he argued that the lab testing procedures were faulty, resulting in a false-positive reading due to possible contamination of his urine sample. Quest Diagnostics and the CSAC, however, stood by their testing procedures. Perhaps more than other fighters who have tested positive, Sherk to this day is vehement in his denial of using steroids, going so far as taking a lie detector test and passing. “I believe him,” Cox said. “I made him go take the lie detector test. I told him, ‘Dude, I want to believe you with all my heart. But I’m telling you, everyone who gets busted says they didn’t do it.’ And he went and took it and he passed it. And I 100 percent believe him. He spent a lot of money, six figures, trying to prove his innocence. It was way more money than it cost him for testing positive. “Throughout his career, he’s done all kinds of tests for steroids, dozens of tests, and never nothing, and then all of a sudden – and it comes up a tiny, tiny .06 or something,” Cox added. “New Jersey said they probably wouldn’t even have counted it as a positive.” Cox said Sherk still wants to sue the state of California over the CSAC finding. “I told him, ‘They got no money to pay ya,’” Cox said, laughing. Kizer said false positives are rare in his experience, recalling just one such case. “We had a guy who tested positive for six different things,” he said. “One steroid and five other drugs and it turned out one of those other drugs came back as a false positive. But he still had the other

“My guess would be that there are more fighters doing it than the general public thinks” — Monte Cox five drugs in him. And he ended up getting a 12-month suspension.” Clark said he has no hard and fast rule at his agency that calls for him to drop a fighter if he tests positive for steroids. “If a guy has issues, you don’t want to turn your back on him,” he said. “You wanna help them. I mean that’s the whole point. I want to be there and say, ‘Hey, we’ll be here for you, good, bad, indifferent. My rule is, ‘Look, communicate. Talk to me.’ Because the worst thing you can do is have some kid you’ve scheduled for a fight, you have no idea he’s on something and all of a sudden he has problems. “And if you had known, you would have had a sit-down with him and tried to get him clean and off it before you got him fighting again,” he said. “My whole line is you gotta communicate so we can make sure that you don’t ruin your career over it.” Cox said that upon hearing of Barnett’s latest positive test result, he felt bad for Affliction because he suspected that would be the end of the promotion. “And I felt bad for Josh,” he said. “I know he obviously took it or whatever, but jeez, that guy comes so close to being a star and he just can’t seem to get there. You know, he wins the UFC title, and then tests and then goes to Japan. He gets a chance to fight Fedor, he’s ranked #2 in the world, and he tests for this one. I mean, you know, it’s a shame because he’s never going to have that legacy that maybe he could have had.”

➤ SEAN “THE MUSCLE

➤ KIRILL “BABY FEDOR”

➤ ANTONIO “BIGFOOT”

➤ TIM “THE MAINE-IAC”

SHARK” SHERK

SIDELNIKOV

SILVA

SYLVIA

BUSTED: July 19, 2007, following his unanimous decision win against Hermes Franca at UFC 73.

BUSTED: March 3, 2009, following his loss to Paul Buentello via TKO at Affliction: Day of Reckoning.

BUSTED: August 21, 2008, following his TKO win over Justin Eilers at EliteXC: Unfinished Business.

BUSTED: October 7, 2003, following his first-round knockout of Gan McGee at UFC 44.

FOR: Nandrolone.

FOR: Stanozolol.

FOR: Boldenone.

PENALTY: Stripped of UFC lightweight title; one-year suspension from the CSAC, later reduced to six months; $2,500 fine.

PENALTY: One-year suspension from the CSAC; $2,500 fine.

FOR: Stanozolol.

FESS UP? Hell, no.

FESS UP? Claims a coach gave him nose spray, which apparently contained Stanozolol.

FESS UP? No.

PENALTY:: Stripped of UFC heavyweight title; sixmonth suspension from the NSAC; $10,000 fine. FESS UP? Yes.

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MMAterial LYOTO MACHIDA: Machida-Do Karate for Mixed Martial Arts This 4 DVD box set has everything you need to know to bring the ancient art of karate into your mixed martial arts skill set. Undefeated UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida walks you through the four courses broken down by Movement and Fundamental Strikes, Striking Attacks and Takedowns, Intercepting Attacks, Takedown Defense and The Clinch and The Ground Game. www.victorybelt.com

PRO TITAN PADS These pre-curved boxing mits are some of the safest on the market. With covered fingers for extra protection and safety and massive wrist stabilizers soaking up shock and impact, you can be punching like the pros in no time. Comes in blue or black/red. www.punchequipment.com

MUSCLE SURGE: MUSCLE GROWTH FORMULA! 4 Products in 1 Joint repair + Whey protein+ BCAA's + Krealkalyn = Muscle Surge. Gone are the days when extreme athletes and fighters had to mix 10 different supplements into their postworkout shakes to get the results they desired - with MUSCLE SURGE you get EVERYTHING IN ONE! www.mmamuscle.com 52 The World-famous

SILVERSTAR HAT www.buysilverstar.com

SINISTER WIND BREAKER www.sinisterbrand.com

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MMAterial JACKSON’S MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Greg Jackson is one of the most accomplished and celebrated mixed martial arts coach in the world. He brings you into his stable of fighters unveiling his methods for developing fight strategies, detailing everything you must accomplish from the time you sign the contract up to the moment you step foot into the cage. He unleashes

MUSCLE PHARM: COMBAT POWDER With a precision-engineered matrix that contains whey protein concentrates, hydrolysates, and isolates, as well as egg albumin and micellar casein, COMBAT is the ultimate timed-released protein super-food. Because each of the distinct protein sources found within COMBAT digest at varying rates, amino acids are not only flooded into the bloodstream within minutes after consumption, but will continuously be “trickle fed” to your muscles for up to 8 hours afterward. www.musclepharm.com

for the first time his arsenal of stand-up striking techniques that have allowed his fighters to dominate the world of mixed martial arts. He also divulges dozens of striking combinations, counterstriking combinations, takedowns, and throws.

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BRIAN BOWLES NEW KID IN TOWN By Deshalen Barber Photos by Geoff Poss

56 The World-famous

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here's a new kid in town sweeping the bantamweight division and his name is Brian Bowles. Fighting out of Hardcore Gym in Athens, Georgia, he is currently the World Extreme Cagefighting champion. Bowles has maintained an undefeated record of 8-0 during his young, but esteemed MMA career. His most recent win sets him atop the bantamweight division with eyes firmly opened by his dismantling of previous belt holder Miguel Angel Torres, who has been called one of the best by several notable fight critics. Like many newcomers, Bowles competed in several fights with relatively unknown organizations like Wild Bill’s Fight Night and ISCF (International Sports Combat Federation) before getting his “big break” with the WEC. Already having a steady background in wrestling, the transition to the WEC seemed only natural for the Southerner. Fortunately, Bowles’ knack for not letting the judges decide his fate with scorecards continued in his first two fights with the organization. He made solid second-round work finishing off Charlie Valencia by submission and Marcos Galvao by strikes, proving he’s a complete mixed martial artist. With eight months passing before his next match, Bowles made a loud and clear statement in his return at WEC 35 by finishing off would-be contender Damacio Page via unexpected guillotine choke from the standing position. This thrilling finish paved the way for his toughest and possibly most exciting challenge against fellow WEC bantamweight

standout Will Ribeiro. The match positioned the winner to have the next title shot against Chicago native Miguel Angel Torres. The test proved to be his stiffest one yet as the bout moved into unfamiliar third round territory. Holding true to character, Bowles took destiny in his own hands, along with bicep and forearms for that matter, by tallying another guillotine choke on the WEC 37 main card. Finally becoming the #1 bantamweight contender, Bowles headlined WEC 40 against Miguel Torres for the coveted throne, but the match was sidelined due to Bowles suffering a back injury weeks before the event. They finally met two cards later at WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The match lasted as long as the contest’s promotional commercial with Bowles finishing Torres off moments into the first round by TKO. Bowles has now cemented himself in the history books by breaking into the pound-for-pound rankings and being the only man to ever knock out Torres. The win has also catapulted Bowles to the contentious #1 spot in the weight class. MMA Worldwide now brings you up to date with how Bowles spends his spare time, his thoughts about the Torres fight and who he looks most forward to fight next.

“I wrestled in high school and I was just looking for something else competitive. So I found Hardcore Gym and eventually started training.” www.mmaworldwide.com 57

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MMA WORLDWIDE: I recently heard that you re-injured your hand in this last fight. What happened? BRIAN BOWLES: I dislocated my middle finger metacarpal so they just popped it back into place. It was displaced at first, but they got it back in place so I'm good. Now it’s just a broken hand; I will have a cast on for a while, but thankfully I will not need surgery or anything major. MW: How long will you be out of action? BB: The last time I broke my hand, it was about six-to-eight weeks and this one seems to be a little worse. So I’m guessing this one will be a few weeks longer than last time. It could have been worse, but the prize at the end was well worth it. MW: How did you get started in MMA? BB: I joined the Hardcore Gym as a hobby. I wrestled in high school and I was just looking for something else competitive. I like to do that type of thing and it’s something that I have fun doing. So I found Hardcore Gym and eventually started training. I then took a couple of amateur fights that escalated into pro fights. I just kept winning and kept getting better until the point where I’m at now. MW: Hardcore Gym is still relatively unknown to the mainstream MMA fan. Could you tell the fans more about your team in Georgia? BB: The coaches are Adam and Rory Singer. We have a pretty good gym and we’re expanding a lot. It’s not really a gym where you go just to do standup or jiu-jitsu; we do complete mixed martial arts training. It’s a cool atmosphere being in a good college town with good people. There's a steady stream of students so you constantly have people coming in and out. I thank the coaches that we don’t specialize in one thing; we do MMA and it’s a great place to go if you’re into that kind of thing. MW: Prior to the Torres bout, you seemed confident to the point that you knew something no one else did. What gave you peace of mind? BB: Just watching him fight and being confident in myself. I believed I could beat him and I convinced myself I could beat him. I’ve seen a lot of other people that went into the fight and they seemed intimidated by him, and I think that played against them. That could have been the reason they lost. So I made sure he did not intimidate me! Plus my training camp went really well too. Everything just fell together perfectly and it gave me all the confidence in the world. MW: What was your game plan going into the match? BB: To bring the fight to him and obviously not stand out at the end of his jab and eat that jab. That’s pretty much most of the game plan right there. Also if he throws the jab, then catch it with the right hand and bring it to the ground because I was not afraid to go down with him. I wanted to pretty much just make it an MMA fight. I didn’t want to be on the ground the whole time because I felt I had the best chance mixing it up. 58 The World-famous

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MW: Did you plan on getting such a quick KO? BB: I don’t plan on stuff like that, I don’t really claim, “I’m gonna knock somebody out in the first round,” but I do go in to every bout looking to knock everybody out or submit them. I just try to take any opening I can. You know, I will just swing hard and if somebody gives me enough give, I’ll submit him. MW: From that win do you believe you carry enough knockout power to finish off anyone in your class? BB: Yeah, if you catch somebody on the right spot, then I definitely feel I can knock out anybody in my weight class. I also feel there are several people in the weight class who can do the same. I think some of the people are small and more of speed-type guys. I look at myself as more powerful and can knock out any guy in my class. MW: Prior to the bout, Frank Mir stated Miguel Torres is the best American fighter, but since you defeated him, where do you think that puts you? BB: It puts me right up there to be considered one of the pound-for-pound top ten. I think he was fourth at the time we fought. Really he just fought a bunch of people. If you go back and look at the people I beat, then look at their records, they’re just as good as he is. I don’t have all the complete numbers like he does, but I think my record is just as aggressive as his. A lot of his [Miguel Angel Torres] wins came from hanging around Chicago and beating people up who are 0-1 or 1-0, so whatever. I think I’m just as good as him and should be considered in the pound-for-pound ranking just like he was. MW: What does it mean to have the WEC belt? BB: Means everything to me. It’s what I’ve been working for and the whole reason I do this. It’s just something I’m proud of and I want to keep a hold of the rest of my life, plus it’s something nobody can ever take away from me.

MW: Do you think the smaller fighters are respected within MMA? BB: I think that we are respected, especially amongst other fighters, but we don’t have the popularity of the UFC and the bigger fighters right now. But in respect, I definitely think we’re respected and I think that it’s going to gain and grow just like the WEC, eventually being all even. MW: If you could face any fighter out there, who would it be and why? BB: I don't really think about that. I guess Dominick Cruz cause he is the #1 contender right now. I would definitely like to fight him and keep the belt. He’s the man who earned the shot against me and that's who I want to fight. MW: If you face Cruz, do you have a game plan already in the works? BB: I haven't really come up with a game plan for him yet. I thought about it in my mind, so I kind of have an idea what I would do. I believe I would go out there and bring the fight to him just like I always do with everybody. I train jiu-jitsu, I do my standup, and I’ll mix it up. It will be on the ground, it will be standup…it will be everything. MW: What do you do for fun in your spare time when you are not training? BB: MMA pretty much consumes your whole life when you start doing it. Most of the time I will hang out with people from the gym or with friends. I live in a college town so we’ll go downtown, or we have a river you can float down, but I don't have a lot of time to do that. I just hang out with friends mostly. MW: Are you a fan of any other sports? BB: I’m not really a huge fan of any sport. I kind of just pay attention to some of them. I occasionally go to an Atlanta Braves game, and when I do, I love the experience.

MW: Is there anyone you’re looking forward to fighting next? MW: Is there anyone you would like to thank? BB: Just whoever man, I don’t dislike anyone or have people I will try to fight. It’s pretty much whoever the WEC says is next and then I will start training for them.

BB: I would like to thank the always-expanding Hardcore Gym and Hitman for sponsoring me. www.mmaworldwide.com 59

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KOS SPEAKS By Marcos Villegas

Since Season One of The Ultimate Fighter, he has become one of the better known names in the sport. Over the course of his career he has evolved from a wrestler into an adept striker with a powerful right hand. Looking to rebound from his stoppage loss to Paulo Thiago, MMA Worldwide had a chance to catch up with the San Jose-based fighter. Josh Koscheck shares his thoughts on his progress in training, his upcoming bout with Frank Trigg at UFC 103 and why he won’t drink pee. It’s an intimate portrait of a fighter who is serious about achieving his goals and one day becoming the welterweight champion. MMA WORLDWIDE: Your last fight was at the massive O2 Arena. How was that experience? JOSH KOSCHECK: The 02 Arena is a big arena, but I’ve competed in big arenas like Mandalay and MGM before. I’ve been around the UFC for about five years now. I look at it as just another day going out there and competing at my best and getting victories at the end of the day. That’s what it’s all about to me. MW: Do you have any weird superstitions before a fight? JK: No, not really. I just kind of know that if I’ve put my training and my time in, everything will be OK. No superstitions really. I’m not the kind to believe in anything like that. I’m someone who believes that hard work pays off. You do all the proper things and you’re bound to have success. MW:What was your game plan against Paulo Thiago?

JK: I really didn’t have a game plan to be honest. I really don’t go into particular fights with game plans. I just pretty much go in there knowing that I gotta do what I gotta do to win the fight. In my last fight, no one really knew too much about Paulo Thiago. There wasn’t really any video on him and we took things by ear and just felt the guy out. MW:You were pretty much in control of that whole fight and your standup gave him problems. How much did that left hurt you or was it a flash knockdown in your book? JK: Of course it was a flash knockdown. When you get hit with those 4oz gloves like that, obviously you can be knocked out at any time, but I felt I could have continued the fight. You know, after they stopped it, I was up and fine and recovered within seconds. So I felt like I should have been given a little bit more time, but the ref stepped in and stopped it; there’s nothing I can do about it. In this game, you win some and you lose some. It’s just the nature of mixed martial arts and there aren’t too many people out there with undefeated records. If you do, you’re not fighting top opponents. MW: In an ideal situation after your fight with Frank Trigg, would you want a rematch with Thiago? JK: Uh, sure…why not, but I’m looking at fighting Frank Trigg. I don’t really care about the past and I don’t care about future fights. MW: So where does Josh Koscheck go after a fight? Any three week vacations to the Bahamas?

JK: (laughing) It really depends where the fight is at. After one of my fights, I went to Puerto Rico for a couple of days and hung out to just really get away. After one fight I went to the Dominican Republic. I like to travel a lot and just hang out, but after this fight, I’m just going to come back home and spend time there for awhile. I haven’t been able to be home in quite some time and I enjoy that part of my life. MW: Do you have any side projects going on from your last fight up until now? JK: Yea, you know I just opened up an MMA gym in Fresno called AKA Fresno. I actually brought on a partner, Jason Kraft. He’s a former wrestler at Nebraska and is friends with my manager and his family. He was involved in the stock market industry for quite some time, but you know, the economy took a shit and he needed something to do. I was looking for someone who had good business sense and could run a business, so I brought him on as a partner and we opened up AKA Fresno. It’s actually doing really well and — knock on wood right now— but I’m really surprised it’s doing as well as it is given the economy. It’s a great facility and one of the nicer MMA gyms you will see around. It’s something fun to have and I can be at home and have a place to train and give back to the mixed martial arts community. MW: Who are some of the trainers you have brought onboard for your gym? JK: We brought on two black belts from Ricardo De La Riva: Daniel Mosquita and www.mmaworldwide.com 63

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Daniel “Monzinha” Galvan; they are both phenomenal jiu-jitsu instructors. We have Ben Holschler, a local fighter, and we have Justin Wilcox who fights for Strikeforce and teaches class. We also got Jason Kraft, who obviously teaches wrestling, and a slew of local fighters and a couple of boxers. One kid named Marco trained with Oscar De La Hoya for awhile. He heads our boxing program along with Rudy; we have Muay Thai as well. You know, it’s a great gym and obviously we are in the process of building our stable of fighters out of there, but it’s a fun time to be in MMA. This is a good project for me, and obviously coming from wrestling and transitioning into MMA, we have a great wrestling program here at the gym. It’s a growing process. MW: It seems MMA is doing quite well compared to other industries right now given this economy. JK: Yeah, definitely. Mixed martial arts is the fastest growing sport in the world right now. I’m really excited that we can still generate sales with clothing companies and have people come out and support the fighters. It’s really cool to see. MW: You mentioned clothing companies. I understand you have your own clothing line called Mar Clothing. How did that come about? JK: I basically hired an artist to come up with it and it’s been something that has been a part of me for awhile. I don’t really know how long it’s been, I think we started it in 2006. Mar basically has a couple of different definitions. It means to mar someone by blemish, but it also means “ocean” in Spanish and “fairy tale dream” in German. So basically our slogan is that it can mean whatever you want it to mean to you. Mar is a fun little company and we are still growing. We do have to catch up with a lot of the other MMA companies that do that full time, but we have four good employees that work on it on a regular basis and handle everything. Like I said, it’s a fun side thing I started, and when I’m done fighting, I want to set myself up and have a couple of little businesses so I can give back to the fighters, sponsor fighters and make a good living as well. MW: Let’s talk about your next fight against Trigg at UFC 103 on September 19th.What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Frank Trigg?

JK: You know, I think he’s definitely a veteran of the sport. He’s been around for quite some time and he always comes in to fight hard. I just got to be ready for everything. I’ve gotta be ready for wrestling, ready for jiu-jitsu and ready to fight every aspect of mixed martial arts. MW: What was your reaction to him coming back to the UFC? JK: I don’t know…we will see. I just gotta finish my three or four weeks of training and show up at my best and be in shape and be ready to fight anywhere. There’s a chance in this fight I can be on my back and there’s a chance in this fight that he can be on his back. I’ve been in this game for six years now and I’ve had around twenty-something fights. I just try to look at it positive and try to kick back and go into the fight open minded. You know, I put my time into training and I train hard. I’m in great shape and I can do anything for 15 minutes. MW:That said, is there anything in his game you’re worried about or something you are going to exploit? JK: Not really. I watched a little bit of his tape and a few of his fights. For me, I just got to do what I do best and that’s push the pace, come out hard and put on a good show. MW: Is there anything you would like to say to Frank Trigg? JK: No, I know Frank personally. I’ve actually competed against him in wrestling before and I know he’ll come ready to fight…he’ll bring it. There’s no need to disrespect Frank or say any harsh words; Frank is a tough fighter. He’s an old vet and Frank is going to be around for a long time regardless if he’s fighting or commentating. He’s a good dude. MW:You’ve started your training camp so I take it your foot is healed? JK: Oh yeah! I’m pretty good right now. Training is good; today I just sparred with Jon Fitch and Josh Thomson and a couple of the other guys at our gym. If you’re not injured or beaten up from training camp, that means you’re not training hard. Obviously you’re going to have your bumps and bruises and things of that nature, but the last week before the fight, I will take the week off and recover. I’ll get a massage and kind of kick back and chill knowing that I put my time in and I’ll be ready…I’ll be ready to go!

MW: How many days in the week are you training for this fight? JK: Right now I’m training six days a week and then I usually take Sunday off and use that day as a day to recover. MW: Now everyone has read about athletes having out-of-the-box training methods or going to an extreme supplement for an advantage. It’s rumored Lyoto Machida drinks his own urine to prepare for a fight. Do you do anything like that? JK: (laughing) No, I don’t drink my own piss — that’s for sure. That’s the dumbest fucking thing I have heard, but I guess I can’t knock it until I try it. MW: (laughing) I’d be scared to try it also. JK: Yes, I don’t think I’m going to be trying that anytime soon. MW: How do you see this fight with Frank Trigg going down? Do you see yourself knocking him out or grinding out a decision? JK: Who knows, man. Like I said, this is going to be a good fight. Frank Trigg is a good fighter and I just got to come in there prepared like I will be and just fight my fight. I need to impose my will on him and obviously, we always want to get the knockout, but sometimes that’s not realistic. We just got to come out with a victory; that’s the important thing. MW: How do you fight off the mentality that many athletes feel when they get bored with their training and the life of a mixed martial artist becomes a job without passion? JK: For me, it is a job. I’m not doing this for any other reason than that. This is my job and my career. Obviously you have to take some days off here and there and get away from the gym and do your own thing. You need those sorts of things to keep focused on the tasks at hand. Like this week, I was getting a little run down so I took two nights off. I worked out once yesterday and once on Wednesday, so it’s not a bad thing, but you got to do those types of things to get away and stay focused on making it to the fight healthy. If you’re not at your best while your training, that’s how injuries seem to come about and you have to www.mmaworldwide.com 65

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really make sure when you’re in that gym that you’re focused and intense. MW: How did you and Diego Sanchez come about squashing your beef? Would you ever consider training with him? JK: Oh, he went down to 155. I’ve always told him that hey, you know on The Ultimate Fighter, we were pretty bad ass training partners. I would love to go and train with him. I think he has a lot to offer and he can help me in areas where I need help and likewise. Obviously we would have to put our egos aside and know that we both have goals. His goal is to become the champion at 155 and my goal is to become the champ at 170. I definitely believe we can benefit each other 100%.

while he was sitting on the pooper and started interviewing him. I may surprise people and post it on YouTube just to dick with him for a couple of days and then take it off.

live on the East Coast and I live on the West Coast, so I don’t really have any time for anything else. I have a short amount of time to do what I’m doing and just focus on my fighting. Hopefully it can all pay off.

MW: Must be a good friend if he let you interview him on the toilet.

MW: So how long will you stay in MMA?

JK: Oh man, he was dead in the middle of dropping it. I mean if he got up the whole world was going to see his dingy. He had no other choice; he had to sit there. You

JK: I’m gonna fight until I feel I can’t compete with the top guys. I just wanna win one fight at a time and just focus on winning fights. You know, I’m not really sure how

know I do little things like that, but I’m pretty chill and laid back.

many years or how well my career will go.

MW: Looking at a career at this point, what’s been your most successful accomplishment? JK: Hmm, I really don’t know. I don’t really look at it like that. I’m just a fighter trying to accomplish my goals and I don’t like saying I did this and I did that. I’m looking at it like, I’m not the champion and I don’t have that belt and that’s what I want. So I’m not satisfied with anything that I’ve done yet. It’s great that I’m a fighter and making a living off of fighting, being able to be in the UFC and things of that nature. But I’m not the champion so I’m not satisfied yet…that’s for sure. MW: So what’s something that people wouldn’t normally know about you? JK: Well, I like to mess with people and give them a hard time. MW: Pulling pranks? JK: Yeah and give people a hard time and bust their balls. MW: Are there any funny pranks that you have pulled on any well-known fighters? JK: Uh, not really. Well you know the other day I was actually at my house and I just got the new i-phone. I had my video recorder on and one of my buddies (I won’t say who but he just got done fighting in Strikeforce.) was at my apartment in San Jose. He was at my house and he was taking a shit and I just cracked open the door 66 The World-famous

MW: So Josh, are you still working on that master’s degree? JK: Not right now man. I was but I’ve just been too focused on the business and training. You know maybe someday I’ll go back and finish it, but I have no time; I don’t even have time to see my family actually. They

MW: Are there any fights you want really bad? JK: Another shot at St. Pierre. I was probably in line for a title shot after Thiago if I didn’t have that slip up in London, but that’s life. You have your ups and downs and you win some and lose some.

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MW: In another life, what would Josh Koscheck be doing? JK: You know what? I don’t know to be honest with you. I enjoy what I’m doing now and that’s the main thing. I enjoy training every day; I enjoy getting up and being my own boss doing what I wanna do. That’s what life is about. The good thing about being a fighter is I’m my own boss and I don’t take orders from others very well. I don’t think I would be able to make it in the corporate world just

ring for my next fight with Yoshida. MW: So moving onto a different subject, what do you think you have learned so far in life about the following?

care about those types of people; that’s one of the things I had a hard time with over the years. One of the most important things that I have learned from that is to keep good people around me—and I do— they are good people and will always support me.

ON YOUR PURPOSE? ON FRIENDSHIPS? JK: I have no clue what that’s about. I guess I’m here for entertainment, but I’m not 100% sure. I’ll probably know that when I’m about to die. For me right now,

JK: People coming in and out of your life is normal in this business. You get a lot of fake people and you get a lot of real people, but the key is to weed out those fake people and keep those real people around. I have a great group of people at Zinkin Entertainment with people like Heidi, Dewayne, Bob and Lance, and everyone over there. All the guys at AKA Fresno and AKA San Jose, they are like family. It’s real important to keep those people and to thank them and care about them. ON REACHING SUCCESS? JK: (pause) I truly don’t even know what success is right now to be honest with you. I don’t know what that word means. Is it money or having a certain type of business? I don’t know how you determine success. ON RELATIONSHIPS? JK: Ah man, I’m not even going to get into that question. We’ll avoid that one for now... MW: On that note, anything else you would like to say?

because my personality doesn’t mix well with those people. MW: How is it the day after a fight? How sore is your body?

I think my purpose is I’m a pretty selfish person when it comes to my career and that’s the important thing I want to focus on. ON LIFE?

JK: You get sore, but I’m used to it because of wrestling. Actually after Thiago Alves, I thought I was going to have to take a couple of weeks off, but I was back in the gym three days later spar-

JK: Well you know, hmm...ugh! Man that’s a tough one. I’m sure I’ve learned a lot of lessons in life. For example you got to love the people that are around you and

JK: I just wanna say thanks to all the guys at Zinkin Entertainment, Dewayne and Bob, and I wanna make sure this gets in there. Those guys bust their asses off for us fighters and they break their backs every day trying to get deals, hammering down stuff and making extra money for us. I’m really appreciative of those guys and my teammates. My AKA teammates have truly taken me to the next level. Obviously the fans are what make this sport go round and round. It isn’t the fighters or the organizations…it’s the fans! They make this sport continue to grow and that’s the important thing to know…the fans are big.

For more information on Josh Koscheck’s AKA Fresno, log onto www.kosmma.com.

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Vitor Belfort: Coming Full Circle By Adam J.Villarreal

phe·nom \'f_-_näm, fi-'näm\ noun phenomenon; especially: a person of phenomenal ability or promise With the last month or so of MMA shockers (fall of Affliction, Fedor NOT UFCbound, Tito UFC-bound), it isn’t surprising to see why Dana White would be seeking some of the names that brought the UFC to the forefront of the combat sports world. And even though it’s been some 13 years after his UFC debut, the most casual fan remembers the fierce, aggressive standup of Vitor Belfort. For well over a decade, he’s been one of the hardest working men in MMA fighting in America, Japan and the UK. Though he was first categorized as part of the Graciecentric Brazilian wave of talent in the 1990s, he quickly separated himself with a standup striking prowess that few were used to, hence the nickname “The Phenom”. His record boasts wins (and losses) against the biggest names in the sport thus solidifying Belfort as a person and fighter worthy of the respect and record he has garnered. Along with his in-ring aggression comes a soft and warm person outside of the lights and fame. He’s a man driven by faith and family…a key element to his training and personal life. That said, what is left to prove for a veteran fighter who has tasted gold, but has yet to cement his status as a legend? 74 The World-famous

Photos by Scott Harrison If you ask him, he’ll tell you he has nothing to prove. His conviction reverberates in every word and he truly is a man living his life happy on his own terms. Since the UFC last saw him over 50 events ago, Vitor Belfort has maintained his hunger and will to win and that will certainly fair well for the man who’s recently been resigned to his MMA alma-mater. We were lucky enough to get some time with Belfort after a training session at Xtreme Couture and here’s what he had to say regarding his past, present and future in MMA: MMA WORLDWIDE: Tell me about the fall of Affliction. VITOR BELFORT: Well I was kind of in shock about what happened and everyone thought it was unbelievable, you know? I still haven’t received an explanation yet and I was very bummed out; everyone was really bummed out. But you know, it is what it is. We have to move forward and I’m back to my home again in the UFC and I’m really happy about that. MW: How did your new deal with the UFC come about? VB: Frank, Lorenzo and Dana have always been open to the idea of bringing back guys who have done well for the UFC. We’ve kept a relationship over time and it was pretty fair in terms of what they were offering me. They really have a good balance between the fans and the fighters; that is a reason why they are and always have been successful. They try to please both at the same time. I also think it’s great the way they keep and maintain relationships with fighters like me. I want to thank Lorenzo, Frank and Dana for that.

MW: Were you surprised with the offer to comeback and to headline? VB: Yeah. Fighting Rich is a big thing, you know? He’s a former champion, a great fighter and a great person. I think I deserve a fight like that though and Rich deserves it, and more importantly the fans deserve it. That’s what I was talking about. The UFC is great for fighters and fans; everybody gets paid off from that. The exciting thing is that it’s finally about to happen and I’m stoked about that…about the whole thing! MW: Was it just the drop in weight that led to your new success or was it something else? VB: The drop in my weight was something that I’ve been focused on. I’ve been the UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and I won the light heavyweight title. I wanted to go to another weight division, so I chose to move to 185 and I found the perfect weight for my body, and of course my health. I don’t have to do diet and do crazy weight-cutting or diet to gain weight. I just want to be healthy and do things in a natural way to keep me strong. I want to drop more to maybe fight Georges St. Pierre for his title. That’s another challenge that I have on my mind and I want to [do that] one day. That’s what I like to do and I want to always challenge myself. MW: How is training at Xtreme Couture? VB: The training is perfect. They are all really nice people that I like working with and they’re very professional. I’m working with Shawn Tompkins, Ray Sefo, Jayme Sandall and Chris Franco. They’re very good and it’s working well for me; I couldn’t be happier. The only

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sad thing is that I do miss my family and it is hard to be away from them for five to six weeks sometimes. It’s the only hard part of this. If you want the gold, you have to buy the field! MW: Which loss would you like to avenge most? VB: Tito Ortiz. I thought I won that fight. At that time I didn’t have the best people around me and even though I didn’t win, I feel that the fight was mine. Now that I’m back and Tito’s back, I think a rematch would be good. It’s nothing personal against Tito; it’s just something I want to do since it’s a sport and you cannot have a sport without challenges. I really like Tito; he is a very nice guy, you know? Besides his attitude in the cage which is all acting - he is a very respectful guy. I think everybody deserves respect, but it’s nothing bad because I really like Tito and it really is something that I look forward to. MW: How do you see your styles comparing? VB: I’m not a psychic but I am working very hard to knock him out or finish the fight. It’s all about preparing to bring in 100% of Vitor Belfort and that is what I do every day in the gym because I want to show up and put on a great fight for everybody and especially Rich. I think it will be a good match. Rich is a wonderful fighter and he’s done great. He likes to stand up and bang, so basically I see Rich as having a lot of heart. He also knows how to fight because he has such a great game. Besides everyone knows what he already has and that is his left hand and combinations. MW: Are you feeling pressure to headline this event? VB: I’m just happy. I have nothing to prove. I am a different Vitor Belfort than I was before; I’m more mature and now I know how to deal with my issues. I had problems before in the past and right now I am enjoying what I’m doing. If I become a champion again, then that’s fine, but I just want to go there and leave the Octagon knowing that I did everything I could. I want to leave and look in Dana, Frank, and Lorenzo’s eyes and let 76 The World-famous

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The most important thing in my life is God, the second is my family, and the third is my work.

them know that I am working very hard for them. I want everyone to leave the arena saying I did good and went hard and did my best. I just want to honor what I have been given and that’s my contract and the fans who support me. That’s what I care about and I also want to honor Rich and the hard work he is also putting into his training. I’m not just here for entertainment; I want to be an inspiration for people. I want people to see me as meant for a higher purpose because that is who I am and that is what I want to be. I won’t act to make more money or to become more famous. When I enter the ring, I’m a king; when I leave, I’m a priest. MW: How many fights are on your UFC contract? VB: I signed for six fights over two years and it’s just the beginning. MW: What are your thoughts on Brazilian fighters like Machida, Silva, etc? VB: It’s amazing to me. Anderson Silva and Machida are out of range compared to most other fighters. I’m really proud of them and they really deserve their success because they train really hard for it. There’s not much more to say than that. They perform well and I’m always clapping my hands for them and I am very happy with them. As far as fighting them, I don’t have a will or urge to fight them. I’m really all about fighting who the organization wants me to. We are all in the same organization and I am just a fighter just like they are. All I’m thinking about is Rich Franklin and no one else right now. MW: Tell me about your family life in Brazil? VB: God is awesome and my family is my treasure. The most important thing in my life is God, the second is my family, and the third is my work. My family is well and they support me. I talk to them everyday and I love them. I wish they were here with me, but I’ll be home soon and be able to hug them. If I have to stay longer in the United States, we’ll move here and buy a house. I can’t continue to live like this away from my family; it www.mmaworldwide.com 77

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Shawn Tompkins, Vitor, Ray Sefo and Jayme Sandall.

isn’t healthy. I want them here where I work. MW: Tell me something most new American MMA fans don’t know about you. VB: My relationship with God. I want everyone to get to know the Lord. I’m always telling people to build that relationship with God because sometimes we get stuck on things like money and fame, especially in America where a lot of life is about what you have and who you are. It shouldn’t be about capitalism. It should be more about principles, morals and family. That’s why I thank the Lord. I want people to start thinking about that to have a better life.

living. But no money can buy something like morals and principles; that’s what I hope to bring to my fans in the United States. MW: What’s next after you retire from fighting? VB: I have many things to do like missionary work in different places; I want to help people. I also want to get into movies but I honestly want to earn a degree in psychology so I can help people in their lives. I know tribulations and difficulties, and I want to help people overcome them. MW: What can the fans expect to see at UFC 103 against Rich Franklin?

MW: Are you still doing television and other media work in Brazil?

VB: They can expect to see 100% of Vitor Belfort.

VB: I was doing some soap operas and television shows. The recognition that I have outside of fighting is bigger because people start admiring who you are in terms of what kind of values you bring to them. Then you start a relationship between you and your fans and that’s what I love. People know you, they follow you, but they’ve never met you. But they bring hope and that’s why I always try to pay it back because they give me a

With Texas ready for the return of the UFC and Vitor Belfort, fans can feel confident that they will get far beyond the cost of the pay-per-view. Belfort is aware and acknowledges his responsibilities to the UFC and the public at large. It’s that commitment that will bring The Phenom back to where he belongs in the coveted Superbowl of MMA!

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For more information on Vitor Belfort, please visit www.vitorbelfort.com (Coming Soon)

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As Commissioner of the North American Grappling Association, for over a decade I have traveled to hundreds of events in dozens of states, affording me the best seat in the house to watch competitors from virtually every grappling academy in America and abroad. One of the great pleasures of this position is the opportunity to train at schools in every region of the U.S.A., providing a unique opportunity to write about America’s Best Grappling Academies. TEAM LINK From humble basement beginnings, Team Link now has affiliate schools statewide in Amherst, Ludlow, North Attleboro, Ware, Westfield and Worcester, plus Enfield and West Hartford (CT), Manchester (NH), Mt. Vernon (OH), and in the country of Norway. Recently the circle was completed when the first Team Link affiliate opened in Uberlandia, Brazil. Team Link comprises the five-time NAGA New England Overall Team Champions with countless gold medal, samurai sword and belt winners in both gi and no-gi divisions. After years of devoting himself to the team, Marco Alvan returned to competition winning the 2009 NAGA New England Advanced Masters and the IBJJF 2009 New York International Open. 80 The World-famous

Team Link’s championships extend as well to MMA with stars in Reality Fighting and other Northeast fight promotions, as well as international success on The Ultimate Fighter and the UFC, most notably top heavyweight contender Gabriel Gonzaga. The Early Years Marco Alvan hit the judo mats at age eight before moving to BJJ at age fifteen under the tutelage of Master Jorge Pina Barbosa. One day he stopped by Gracie Barra intending only to watch, but a brown belt invited him onto the mat with a hug and a promise: “Don't worry, I'll take care of you.” That brown belt was Renzo Gracie, and Marco soon found himself rolling with the likes of Ralph and Ryan Gracie, then purple and blue belts respectively. Alvan earned his blue belt under Master Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie Jr., founder and head of Gracie Barra, and creator of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Joining the Brazilian Army at age 19 closed the door on training at Gracie Barra for geographical reasons, but the commanding Colonel had Alvan introduce BJJ on base, where he taught for seven years in a program that still exists today. When an academy opened

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up nearby under the direction of Master Carlos Augusto, Alvan found a friend for life. Coming to America

Team Link had everything in place to become the force it is today. If you want to know the future, look at the past. Team Link will continue to produce multi-sport champions from an ever-widening circle of schools worldwide. But the future holds more.

Alvan came to America to assist at an affiliate school in California, but a visit with family in Ludlow, Massachusetts set him on a different course – he found a new home. America is the land of opportunity, but not easy opportunities.

Fight-Stream.com

So what do Marco Alvan, Sharon Stone, Jay Leno, Shania Twain and Barbie have in common?

Marco Alvan co-founded Fight-Stream.com to bring local fights live to an international audience through the Internet. Currently MMA fans can enjoy fights on PPV and some cable channels, or they can view them on YouTube and other video sites, but often in low quality and long after the arena lights have dimmed.

They all worked at McDonalds. To support himself and his wife, Alvan started working at McDonalds; as the only employee from South America he was immersed in an English program with long hours, low pay and lots of lessons. After a year, he started working in construction and began teaching BJJ in his basement as well as a local karate school. In time, he opened up the academy in Ludlow, Massachusetts, and with the addition of his partner Gabriel “Napão“ Gonzaga in 2005,

Helmed by a team with a half century of experience in MMA and live TV sports, Fight-Stream.com brings a multi-camera shoot with graphics, instant replay, commentators and a ring/cage side reporter, and it’s all done live! With viewers from all over the U.S.A. as well as hits in Canada, Brazil and Japan, Fight-Stream is set to win fans as surely as Team Link dominates on the mat and in the cage.

For further information on Marco Alvan, Gabriel Gonzaga or Team Link, please visit LinkBJJ.com

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Height 5'4 Measurements 34D-24-35 Hometown Jackson,TN Favorite Food Sushi!! Dream Vacation Italy Favorite Activities Dancing, photo shoots, working out Turn Ons Great smile, confidence, someone that can make me laugh! Turn Offs Bad breath, arrogance, no fashion sense! gezz

a by Im photo

photo montage by Imagezz

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Experts Roundtable

Today’s MMA Agents

by Deshalen Barber

The world of MMA is ever changing and continuously growing. So it’s no wonder why many fighters, who are unable to grasp the lingo involved with signing lucrative contracts with major promotions or even local shows, end up feeling stranded if they come up short purse-wise due to said contract’s fine print. Hence the need for an agent is swiftly becoming the norm for prospective fighters intending to obtain full financial gain from a couldbe brief career. Unlike other sports, the competition to gain top athletes at any cost can be just as fierce as the sport itself. The agents atop of MMA often take more of a “Jerry Maguire” approach to their clients. This is primary because, unlike the shark pools that infest other sports, your reputation and word means “everything”. Still, even if an agent is ethical in their approach, they are not guaranteed instant revelry to attaining world-class talent mostly because there are only a handful of fighters known in everyday households who receive the lopsided paydays from promotional events. Of the few lucky fighters who sit upon riches, more than not they either already have formal representation or opted to negotiate their own careers. This is not to say success as an agent is as farfetched of an idea as bringing your personal entourage to a highly-publicized fanfare event. It’s just the odds are greatly stacked against you and those who do make it to the top endure restless nights from the barrage of phone calls, contract negotiations, and the many therapy sessions to console their fighters. That said, we have compiled a panel of experts (Ken Pavia, Ed Soares, Matt Stansell and John Erminio) to give their take on being an MMA agent.

How did you first get started representing fighters and what was your background prior?

KEN PAVIA: I represented baseball and hockey players for 12 years and I met Ricco Rodriguez through a mutual friend. He 88 The World-famous

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was my first client and got me into the sport. Jeff Sherwood from sherdog.com was actually my umpire at my recreational softball league. ED SOARES: My business partner Jorge Guimaraes used to represent fighters. Before that, I managed hip-hop groups and was a nightclub promoter, then ran Sinister Clothing. Right before I fully became an agent, I was airing weekly mixed martial arts shows from Brazil with my partner Jorge Guimaraes in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County area. The show was second in ratings to Saturday Night Live in that area. So with our expertise, it was only natural for both of us to transition into MMA. MATT STANSELL: I trained and competed since 1996, and then trained with several fighters and they asked me to help coach them. They knew of my business background and asked me to talk to certain promoters for them. One thing led to another and that was my start. I've done pretty much every aspect of MMA: I've fought, coached, matched fighters, commentated and conducted interviews. Pretty much everything you can think of... JOHN ERMINIO: I was a sports management major in college and then I started working at a boutique agency in Las Vegas called Poker Royalty, representing professional poker players. Business expanded into me working with MMA fighters and it’s kind of just taken off from there.

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ED SOARES

What was the appeal to representing MMA fighters over representing other athletes?

ES: It was a natural transition because of our television show Passing the Guard at the time. We were one of the only TV shows out there promoting MMA in the Los Angeles, California area. Through that we were building very good relationships not only with a lot of the promoters, but with the fighters as well. Since I had experience in managing hip-hop groups and my partner’s [Jorge Guimaraes] expertise was fight management (he already managed Pedro Rizzo and Vitor Belfort), we just changed our media company into a management company, and that’s how it happened. MS: Our sport is unique in the fact that if you’re going to be good at it, you have to love it. It has nothing to do with going in and representing someone in this sport who you don’t even like. I’m fortunate to do the thing I like. It’s in me and that’s why I'm good at it, like I was fighting when MMA was still illegal in California. I think that I'm a force inside of MMA. JE: I think that getting in on the ground floor with MMA fighters is a great opportunity. The sport of MMA is obviously growing at an exponential rate. There's a huge opportunity and it only seemed like the right move to get in a sport still at its infancy stages. www.mmaworldwide.com 89

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KP: Big fan of the sport and always enjoyed watching it. When the opportunity presented itself, I saw fighters could use comparable compensation, and I made the effort.

Exactly what do you do for your fighters?

MS: Full service management from counseling due to family problems to professional advice on interviews, and even how they should best cut their hair to get to that next level of stardom. KP: Negotiate fight and sponsor opportunities, coordinate their commission compliance, and help guide their careers in a nutshell. JE: We do a ton of things to be honest with you. Obviously we secure sponsorship opportunities for them in and out of the ring. We do personal appearances for them; we find licensing for them. We handle contract negotiations and any money we can make them outside of fighting is what we try to do. ES: We pretty much have a smaller management company; we don’t represent as many guys because we are more about quality versus quantity. What we do is focus on all aspects of their life down to negotiating their fights, appearances and endorsement deals. We also put them with a business manager that takes care of all their accounting. We basically help run their business which is themselves.

The UFC has added some very public new rules about sponsorships and video game deals. Has this affected your business at all? KP: Sure, the sponsors were being penalized, but hopefully we will be able to find others to replace them. I haven’t seen a big difference yet. For the fighters in other organizations, no, but the ones inside the UFC we just replaced those sponsors. JE: No, it really hasn’t. The UFC is really a great organization and we’re going to play by their rules, so whatever their rules are, we’re going to abide by them. So no, I wouldn’t say this has affected us; actually the UFC has been more than fair in the sponsorship world. There are not many sports out there where you are allowed to drape your fighter in all sorts of sponsors. And the UFC has allowed doing that and they have given fighters extra opportunities to make money. ES: Not at all! MS: Everyone says the UFC is oppressing fighters or putting limitations on them. Fact is, the UFC is operating a business and they provide a lot of jobs and opportunities for people. Some people are downing the UFC, but I'm not 90 The World-famous

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one of those people. I think they have helped out the fighters tremendously. Do I think the fighters are hindered by that? I don’t think so; the fighters wouldn’t have these opportunities if the UFC didn’t provide it for them. From what I see, it hasn’t hindered our business.

What are some of the biggest challenges in being an MMA agent?

ES: I think the hardest thing about being an MMA agent is being able to please everybody. KP: The different personalities of MMA fighters are so diverse in their makeup and persona which affects their demands and what makes them happy. So it’s really just the ability to be able to adapt and identify the needs of your individual client and satisfy those needs. JE: I would say the biggest challenge of being an MMA agent is that a fighter’s lifespan is so short. You invest a lot of time and money into a certain fighter and if he loses a couple of fights, he could be gone where as other ath-

lete’s pro careers are a lot longer. So I would say the turnover on fighters is really challenging. You have to always be signing new talent and keeping in mind that your fighters don’t have a long lifespan and their value can go down very quickly. MS: The time it takes to do it. There's never a day off or an hour or minute your phone is not on. I think all fighters expect their agents to be available 24/7. That’s the most important thing, but it’s something I love to do and the fighters know they have 100% support. And the one difference in how I operate from others [agents] is that we are like a family. I have all the fighters over for barbecues and I go to their weddings; it’s deeper than just a monetary relationship.

What should a fighter look for when picking an agent?

KP: Chemistry. You really have to find a guy you get along with who has experience and knowledge of the sport. I think you’re better suited for a guy that has industry relationships which helps establish a client base and it always helps to have a law degree. ES: A fighter should look for somebody he feels comfortable with, he can trust and he can believe in. I think that every fighter may have different needs from an agent or manager. Depending on who you are and where you’re at in your career, you may have different needs. It depends on who the fighter is, but the most important thing regardless of which the fighter picks is, it should be somebody he can trust. MS: I think every fighter has a different idea as to what they want with an agent. That’s the benefits of having different agents out there. There are some who have zero interaction, meaning they just set up fights. There are others who are full service. I think a fighter would need to figure out what they would like. Some fighters are like, “Hey, I don’t want to pay this percentage or that percentage.” They’re looking for a discount manager. Well in my opinion if they try to find a manager for half the price, they will get half the effort. I think a fighter needs to come up with what he thinks he is worth. If he decides to not pay as much, then the manager will not try as hard because he will not make as much money from him. In my opinion, I would look for someone who is available and has been there before. I want someone who knows what I am going through for a fight.

JOHN ERMINIO

JE: I think they should definitely keep in mind that there are a lot of people who over promise and under deliver. There is only so much an agent can do for you. If you get promised the world and the agent doesn’t say “no” to you, that is always a red flag in my opinion. I would say a fighter needs an agent who is accessible, who is hungry and who is willing to go that extra mile for you.

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