Fighters Magazine - December 2011

BRINGING MARTIAL ARTS TO LIFE

MARTIALARTSSHOW

THE NEC BIRMINGHAM 12th & 13th MAY 2012

the

www.fightersmag.co.uk DECEMBER 2011 £3.95

141

Plus UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida and all the Latest from...

Strikeforce, Cage Rage UK 25, UCMMA, BAMMA 8 & MORE!

KICKBOXING - MUAY THAI - MMA - K-1 - BOXING

Page FIGHTERS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

CONTENTS 6

Newsline

8

Neil Adams Submission Clinic

10

Lose Weight & Keep Strength

By Glenn Shelford

14

Psychologically Speaking With Doctor John O’Connor

16

Wrestling News

By Teddy G

20

UFC on FOX Velasquez vs. Dos Santos

22

UFC 141 Lesnar vs. Overeem

26

USN Protein Fuel 50 Aims to Fuel Intense Excersise

28

Stone Cold Steve Austin Interview By Teddy G.

35

Tactical Force DVD Review

36

Thiago Alves The Wrecking Machine Returns

40

Island Warriors

By Les Obre

42

BJ Penn The Final Bell?

44

Jeremy Borash Interview By Teddy G.

48

Combaton Team Sports with a Kick!

Marlon Hunt is another name familiar to regular Fighters readers.

We’ve been following Marlon for many years now and witnessed his steady rise and continued achievements on the kickboxing scene. We take a look back over his career from his beginning’s with Fighters own Cris Janson Piers to becoming an 8 times World Champion, all starting on page 64.

50

UFC 140 Jones vs. Machida

52

Bisping’s Kryptonite The Overhand Right

58

As well as our usual mix we’ve got an article on how to lose weight whilst still maintaining strength and we also look at how a positive mindset can have an incredible positive impact on your performance. We also review USN’s latest edition to its protein range, Protein Fuel 50, a supplement aimed at fuelling intense exercise for the serious athlete.

Nathan Bendon Young up & Coming Fighters

63

Chris Dolman World’s Greatest Grappler

64

The Highway to Success A Biography of Marlon Hunt

68

Bobby Roode Interview By Teddy G.

70

Tommy Morrison Setting the Record Straight

74

Cameron McFadzen A Born Fighter

78

Daniel McGowan WRSA Junior World Champ

Editorial Well here we are again. It only seems like yesterday that we took the Christmas decorations down but how time flies, especially after such an amazing year in the fight game.

December is certainly not looking like easing up though, in fact it seems like it is picking up pace for an end of year finale to remember and nowhere more so than at the UFC. We have just witnessed another change of guard at the very top of the ranks as Junior Dos Santos blew away Cain Velasquez in only a little over a minute and apparently he wasn’t even 100%, so we look forward to seeing him at 100% next year. See our full breakdown of the fight and all the results from UFC on FOX on page 20.

His opponent for his next fight will be the winner of UFC 141 on December 30th. This will see the second long awaited return of Brock Lesnar to the Octagon to face UFC new boy (but an old face to Fighters readers) Alistair Overeem. These two Giants will go head to head in the UFC’s big finale for 2011 and what a finale it should be. Take a look at our full breakdown, analysis and review of this huge night on page 22.

Before this Jon Jones will defend his Light Heavyweight title for the second time, this time against former champion Lyoto Machida.

Machida is a fighter that could pose Jones with a few problems he has not faced before and really test the young unbeaten champion. Another exciting fight looks on the cards for this one and once again we’ve broke it down for you all on page 50.

Well that’s about it for another year, as always enjoy the festive period, take the opportunity to have a bit of a rest but try not to eat too much turkey and we will see you next month for the beginning of another exciting year on the full contact scene, where actions ALWAYS speak louder than words.

If you can’t wait until next month, check out www.martialhouse. co.uk as it seems to be a good place to catch up on all the latest news as it happens, air your views and exchange ideas in the forums that they have.

FIGHTERS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 Page

Page 22 UFC 141 LESNAR VS. OVEREEM

fightersmag.co.uk PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Paul S. Clifton paul@martialartsinprint.com SENIOR DESIGNER Kevin Thompson GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hadley Austin WEBMASTER Nick Harley ADVERTISING/SALES EXECUTIVE Jan Harley 0121-351-6930 fighters@btconnect.com PHOTOGRAPHY Carrie Austin 07716266854 IRISH MMA SUB EDITOR Thomas McCullough UK THAI SUB EDITOR Dan Green UK MMA SUB EDITOR Rob Nutley UK BJJ SUB EDITOR Carl Fisher UK KICKBOXING SUB EDITOR Cris Janson-Piers UK BOXING SUB EDITORS Luke Calvert, Mark Wilson Smith THAI / KICKBOXING Tony Myers, Shaun Boland, Paul Hennessy, Bob Spour, Neil Holden, Dean Sugden, Carl Emery CONTRIBUTORS Steve Dileo, Bryan Levick, Fergus Dullaghan, Ben Cartlidge, Teddy Galbally, Craig Bush, Rocki Sondhi, Tommy Thompson COVER PICTURE Coutesy Zuffa LLC HOW TO GET WORK PUBLISHED Drop us an email at fighters@martialartsinprint.com or give the editorial team a call on 0121 351 6930 NEWS ITEMS For all news related items, simply mark your envelope “FIGHTERS NEWSLINE” and together with a photograph (if required) and a covering letter, send it to: FIGHTERS, Head Office or E-Mail: fighters.news@btconnect.com HEAD OFFICE: Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. Tel: 0121 351 6930 E-Mail: fighters.magazine@btconnect.com ADVERTISING DETAILS If you would like to advertise in FIGHTERS email us at fighters@martialartsinprint.com to obtain details, deadline dates and costs.

DISCLAIMER FIGHTERS is published by M.A. Publications Ltd, Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. The publishers reserve the right to reject editorial and/or advertising material as they see fit. The Publishers accept no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material. However, the Publishers will endeavour to return such matter providing that it is accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. Any material accepted by the Publishers shall be revised or altered should the Publisher deem it necessary to do so. The act of submitting manuscripts and/or materials shall be considered an express warranty that such material is original and in no way infringes upon the rights of others. It is expressly forbidden for any part of the magazine to be reported whatsoever without the permission of Editor / Publishers. The views or comments expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the editor or Publisher. Distribution by COMAG. No part of this magazine may be produced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior permission.

Fighters, may not be sold at more than the recomended retail price shown on the cover.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES To take out a subscription to Fighters, just send your cheque for the correct amount made payable to M.A. Publications ltd. to: Subscription Dept. Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. or telephone: 0121-351 6930 12 issues = UK @ £44.95 EUROPE @ £75 (Airmail) REST OF WORLD @ £90 (Airmail)

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NEWS ROUND-UP

Have you got news for us? You have? Then e-mail us at fighters.news@btconnect.com

NEWS ROUND-UP DECEMBER 2011

IF YOU FEEL THE COLD THIS GET YOUR BODY READY WINTER, LOOK TO NEW WARMING FOR SPORT WITH AKILEINE BALMOSA(tm)CREAM FOR ASSISTANCE To get the most out of a workout it’s With winter approaching, it can feel as if there’s no end to physical conditions aggravated by a drop in temperature.

Chilblains, stiff muscles and rheumatic pain can all be more severe in the winter, but now soothing Balmosa cream can help keep you moving as the cold sets in.

If you are one of the 10% of Britons who suffer from chilblains, you’ll know how painful and uncomfortable they can be. Chilblains occur when a predisposed individual is exposed to extreme cold, which damages the skin’s capillaries causing redness, itching, inflammation and blisters. They usually affect the hands and feet, but can also occur on the nose and even earlobes1. They can also be a symptom of Raynaud’s, a disorder in which the small blood vessels are particularly sensitive to a change in temperature, and can cause pain, tingling and discomfort.

There are ways to help prevent chilblains, for example by keeping warm with thermal gloves and socks, and wearing loose layers to trap warm air. Regular exercise maintains good circulation, so try and move about as much as possible and stretch regularly.

If chilblains do occur, try Balmosa - one of the few creams available in the UK to help soothe pain and discomfort associated with unbroken chilblains. Easy to apply, Balmosa’s warming action stimulates dilation of the capillaries, bringing blood to the affected area, which in turn can help boost circulation.

Balmosa can also be used as an effective cream for general muscular aches and pains. It can be applied topically, on a daily basis, to help affected areas. In addition, if you suffer from chronic conditions exacerbated by the onset of the cold weather, such as lumbago and sciatica or even on-going rheumatic pain, Balmosa, can help keep you moving.

Balmosa is available over the counter at your local pharmacy or can be prescribed by your doctor.

important to make sure that you take great care of your body, both before and after exercise.

Thanks to Simply Feet, one of the UK’s leading footcare specialists, you can now protect your body with help from Akileine Sport.

The cream works to help improve the skins elasticity and resistance. Containing 30% shea butter, the skin is provided with the ideal moisture balance and increases the ability to prevent the formation of blisters.

The water repellent warming oil is perfect for protecting the skin from the damp and cold, as well as giving you that much needed instant warming sensation and feeling of heat.

Great to use as part of your preparation before outdoor activities it can also be used for a localised warming effect in the case of a sprain.

For added protection against the cold Akileine Sports Cold Cream can be used on your hands, face and feet to prevent the development of frostbite and chilblains.

With ingredients including shea butter, vitamin A and calendula oil it activates the bloods circulation and gets you ready to face the cold.

HALO MMA IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE: MTV’s THE WRAP UP PRESENTS 3 Starring UCMMA Light Heavyweight Champion, Jimi “Posterboy” Manuwa, UCMMA Featherweight Champion, “Capcom” Cory Tait and BAMMA British Middleweight Champion, Jack “Hammer” Marshman, the documentary directed by British Filmmaker Demetrio Marquez and produced by UK journalist Aundre Jacobs, showcases the lives of the three fighters, before and after a fight.

Ground-breaking in MMA for its quality and craftsmanship, the film presents an intimate portrait of the athletes and explores what drew them into the sport and what lights their fires.

Izzy Carnwath from HALO MMA commented: “It’s really fantastic to see a prestigious media outlet such as MTV taking an interest in MMA in the UK and help to push the sport forward. Talent like Marquez’s is sorely needed by the scene, to present this exciting and very technical sport in a way that does it and its athletes justice.

Beautifully crafted cinematography is the best medium I can think of to explain MMA to the mainstream and to set it above the tawdry image it often has in the UK”.

WATCH NOW: http://www.mtv.co.uk/ 3570-mtv-wrap-up-presents-an-exclusivemma-feature-3

INTRODUCING NEW NOZOIL, HELPING THE NATION’S NOSES GET HEALTHY

You might not think your nose is a “vital organ,” but indeed it is! It is a little known fact that 70% of bacteria entering the body do so via the nose1 - consequently, nasal health plays a vital part in protecting the body’s immune system, helping to prevent common diseases such as coughs and colds.

Why is your nose so important?

It processes the air that you breathe before it enters your lungs. Most of this activity takes place in and on the turbinates, located on the sides of the nasal passages.

In an adult, 18,000 to 20,000 litres of air pass through the nose each day.

Your nose protects your health by: * Filtering all that air and retaining particles as small as a pollen grain with 100% efficiency. * Humidifiing the air that you breathe, adding moisture to the air to prevent dryness of the lining of the lungs and bronchial tubes * Warming cold air to body temperature before it arrives in your lungs Introducing NEW Nozoil Nozoil is made of chemically pure sesame oil which lubricates the inside of the nasal passages to keep them healthy and in the process, treats and prevents an uncomfortable itchy nose. It is protein-free to avoid allergic reactions and contains vitamin E and polysaturated fatty acids, which help to build up the membrane in the wall of cells within the nasal passages.

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NEWS ROUND-UP DECEMBER 2011 Page

NEWS ROUND-UP

Have you got news for us? You have? Then e-mail us at fighters.news@btconnect.com

NEWS ROUND-UP DECEMBER 2011 Because Nozoil moisturizes and lubricates the nasal passages, eliminating dryness and itches, this also reduces the urge to pick or finger the nose - which can spread infection - including in dry, dusty or airconditioned environments.

Catch Jimi Manuwa @ BAMMA 8

Nozoil is new to the UK and was invented in Scandinavia by Pharmacure, The Nose Experts. It is available from www. oneclickpharmacy.co.uk.

Cage Rage UK

Presents UCMMA 25: The Beat Down Dave O’Donnell announces, Cage Rage UK25, The Beat Down - December 3rd Live from London’s Troxy Arena.

Jake Bostwick vs. Deniston Sutherland Chris Harman vs. Mark Potter Louis King vs. Mark Weir Joe Cooper vs. Ben Smith Earl Brown vs. Iain Martell Andre McIntyre vs. Miguel Bernad Tony Giles vs. Ben Craggy Lee Caers vs. Tony Machado Andy Cona vs. Wendle Lewis Nathan Grayson vs. Steve Brasier Damien Carroll vs. Jason Radcliffe Sam Boo vs. Michael Page Salih Kulachan vs. Carl Hunt

BAMMA 8

December 10th Capital FM Arena Nottingham Light Heavyweight Fight Jimi Manuwa vs Antony Rea Welterweight Fight Jimmy Wallhead vs Joey Villasenor World Lightweight Title Eliminator Andre Winner vs Diego Gonzalez Lonsdale British Middleweight Title Jack Marshman vs Leeroy Barnes Bantamweight Fight Paul McVeigh vs Erik Perez Lightweight Fight Curt Warburton vs Tim Newman Light Heavyweight Fight Jason Jones vs Mark Godbeer Welterweight Fight Dean Amasinger vs Danny Mitchell Lightweight Fight Colin Fletcher vs Chris Fishgold Welterweight Fight Tom Breese vs Qasim Shafiq Bantamweight Fight Brian Hyslop vs Owen Gayle

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How to lose weight whilst

keeping strength All You Need To Know This article is designed to give safe weight loss advice to implement into your next fight prep. I am going to use elements of body building concepts and also from other schools of thought.

The goal for you when stepping into the cage should be to be at peak physical strength and aerobically ready to finish three/five hard rounds too.

The body has to be given time to react to a change in weight, diet, or anything else that affects a system inside you. Therefore the cutting weight should begin within 4 – 6 weeks before the fight.

Whilst you sit here reading this, you are burning calories. The body is constantly doing this and by reducing the amount of calories

Burpees

you intake, the body will use its reserves of fat to function. This is the reason why dieting works, it is the calorie deficiency that causes you to burn from other areas and lose fat. The process of dieting will inevitably start to burn from your protein stores inside the body also, so the body turns the proteins and fats into glycogen which is used for energy.

To keep the muscle and get rid of the fat, you need a CONSTANT source of protein; this means with each meal and throughout the day‌ there should always be a

source of protein for you to top up with. This constant supply will negate the effect that the energy burning has on your protein stores and start working towards keeping the muscle mass whilst burning fat.

Carbohydrates also are not the enemy! During this article I will be talking about alternative training methods which will be more stressful on your body than a mediocre weight session. Therefore some carbohydrates MUST be consumed to enable getting the most from your workout.

Each gram of carbs is equal to 4 calories, and these are turned into fat if not used. (Stored as fatty tissue as described above) The start of the day should be with enough carbs to slowly burn throughout the day. Simple carbs should be avoided and although everyone and their dog knows this fact. IT is still important to mention.

A good example of breakfast for cutting weight would be: Poached eggs and wholemeal toast Porridge w/ fruit & nuts These are just examples that will give your body a protein kick in the morning, but also contain carbs to burn throughout the day.

LOSE WEIGHT WHILST KEEPING STRENGTH Page

Reducing the carbs throughout the day works because you burn more calories in the day than when you sleep. Therefore you need less carbs the later in the day it gets. Contrary to this most people will have the majority of their carbohydrates with dinner, a mere 2-4 hours before they barely move for 8 hours etc. This leaves a massive amount of un-used energy which is turned into fat.

Try and experiment with what works and what doesn’t whilst between fights so that when you are into those final couple of weeks, you will know what works for yourself and not have to take any drastic steps.

Training Methods Remember, I am only going from personal knowledge and what works for me during my fight preparation. This has been developed and redefined after trying several different methods so that now I know what works for me to get to my target weight.

The best way to cut weight, keep lean muscle and make the best out of your time is to do high intensity resistance training in my opinion.

The typical circuit should last no longer than 20-30 minutes and include as many all body exercises as possible. The reason behind using as many different muscle groups as possible is because this will burn fat from as many places as possible. A simple push up can be turned into a push up with a squat thrust in between is an example of how combining two separate exercises will burn more calories than doing these separately.

On the subject of using weights during the circuit, you can use exercises like squat push press and weighted squats and cut the weight to around 60% 1RM...

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Psychologically Speaking with Dr. John O.Connor

We have all witnessed it. An MMA legend tries to make a comeback, even after a long illustrious career, only to be rocked by a punch and taps out in the first round. Ever wonder what could be going on inside the fighter’s head?

After working with an MMA fighter through his losing streak, I was able to gain some insight into what was going on during those crucial minutes.

In last month’s article, “What It Takes to Conquer the Mental Game”, I explained why working only with conscious thought does not yield the type of results one is seeking when it comes to the mental game.

When I was working with one such fighter, I was able to see what the result of this strategy was.

The fighter walks into the ring consciously believing he is the greatest in the world and cannot be defeated.

He believes falsely that his opponent does not have the skills he possesses and he has a secret weapon no one else has.

Because the conscious has been knocked out to lunch, the subconscious takes over.

Since the fighter never did any inner work to dispel his own inner demons, all the fears, past trauma, and childhood issues overwhelm the fighter and overtake the conscious.

All those statements the fighter repeated over and over again to himself are gone. The fighter keeps getting hit and can’t think straight. He is in survival mode, his mind racing with all the negative events form his past clouding his mind and preventing him from executing any kind of offense.

The fighter’s opponent lands one good solid punch and clearly rocks the fighter. That punch immediately challenges the fighter’s belief that he is the greatest in the world, because after all, how can the greatest fighter in the world be nearly flattened with one punch?

Any game plan disappears, because the conscious thought process is completely disrupted.

The bell rings. He survived round one. His trainers are barking commands at him, and telling him the same rhetoric they had been filling his head with throughout training camp, but all he can hear is his head is all those people telling him he should have retired, he’s not good enough, and all the other negative statements from his past haunting him like ghosts.

Round 1:

Round 2: The bell rings. The fighter has had a moment to recover and thinks, I have been here before.

I’ll do what I do best and take him to the ground. However, he’s already at a disadvantage.

He tries to shoot for a takedown, but he still has all the chatter in his head from his subconscious that was brought out when he nearly got his lights knocked out in the first round. This chatter interferes with his efforts so much, he almost seems as if he makes a half effort at the takedown. His opponent turns it around on him on the ground and pounds on him.

The more he gets hit the more his subconscious says, give up.

The next thing he knows, he is caught in a rear naked choke.

The fighter taps out. His big comeback ends in a flash.

Fighters are under extreme pressure to perform in a short window of time, and if they cannot rise to the occasion, their careers can end after repeated

PSYCHOLOGICALLY SPEAKING - WITH DR. JOHN O’CONNOR Page

losses. Unfortunately, no matter how many times a fighter has won in the past, no matter how illustrious of a career one has established, as a fighter, you are only as good as your last fight.

The problem lies in ignoring the rest of the fighter. Fighters have personal experiences and personal histories, just like everyone else. These experiences can interfere at any time or at any point during a person’s career, no matter how many wins they have had in the past or how many titles they have won. As you can see, ignoring the rest of the fighter can be tricky business.

Building up the fighter only on a conscious level doesn’t work unless the fighter can work with the subconscious to believe it too, regardless what happens in the ring. A fighter needs to build self-confidence based upon a strong foundation, out of a respect for oneself, not out

A positive mindset will help you overcome all obstacles

of how much a fighter wins or loses. The most effective way of building yourself into a winning machine is to make certain that all parts of you, your past, your present, your conscious, and your subconscious, are all working in unison so you have complete control over your actions in the ring.

The above description of this fighter’s match is a perfect example of how the Gemini mind can interfere even with the performance of fighting legends (for a full description of the Gemini mind, see last month’s article, “What It Takes to Conquer the Mental Game”).

As you can see, one can repeat over and over again how great

he is, but if the fighter has had experiences with others that contradicts this statement, the moment the opponent gets one solid hit, it immediately contradicts all those months of building “self-confidence” on the conscious level, and all of those repressed bad memories are immediately reinforced. This is why ignoring one’s past could be a recipe for disaster in the ring...

To read the rest of this article why not order a back issue, visit www. fightersmag.co.uk/ backissue

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Velvet Sky

Wres The past few weeks have been a busy time for WWE, TNA, and indeed for everyone here at Fighters.

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WRESTLING NEWS - WITH TEDDY G Page 11

tling News We start with WWE who continue to restructure and develop storylines ahead of launching its own TV channel. Yes you read correctly “WWE Network” launches early in 2012 in the U.S. (no word yet on its availability over here yet, but, I wouldn’t hold your breath if it affects its current deal with Sky TV). The school of thought at the moment is it will carry the main WWE programs as well as the ‘Big 4’ PPV’s on a monthly subscription basis. There is likely to be new programming exclusive to the network too although with its massive back catalogue of WWE, WCW, ECW, and various other classic footage, they can certainly fill the schedule for the short term at least.

In other WWE news Triple H is no longer running RAW. The ‘conspiracy’ angle continues as the RAW superstars walked out in a vote of no confidence forcing WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon, to relieve Triple H of his duties on RAW and install John Laurinaitis as interim RAW General Manager.

This is the start of a wider conspiracy angle that will see Laurinaitis try to wrest total power from Triple H over the coming weeks and months.

Mark Henry still continues to dominate everyone on Smackdown as World Heavyweight Champion despite the return of Big Show. Expect to see these two square off at Survivor Series, probably in a cage or even Hell in a Cell match.

“WWE 12”, the latest instalment of its excellent video game series should be in the shops by the time you read this. My review copy hasn’t landed in time to review it in this issue but I am assured it’s the best one yet (and that’s saying something). Thanks to a last minute

deal between WWE & Brock Lesnar, Brock will also be included in the game as a playable character!

An interesting side note whilst on WWE is a name I told you to keep an eye on exactly 2 years ago… Jesse White. He is the son of the legendary Big Van Vader and has now been signed to a WWE developmental contract… Knowing how WWE likes to push multi generational stars, I expect a big push for him, probably just after Wrestlemania.

Over in TNA its all been happening…

We have had a new TNA World Heavyweight Champion in the form of Bobby Roode and we do have a new TNA Knockouts Champion in the shapely form of Velvet Sky. Both had their world title shots at the Bound for Glory PPV on October 16th. Both thoroughly deserve the belts as both have worked their backsides off for TNA for years. Velvet especially has put in a lot of effort to improve both in the ring as a performer in general over the past 12 months.

For Roode the culmination of a long hard road that has seen him

Mark Henry

go from rookie, to mid card, to being one half of the best tag team in the past 10 years (Beer Money), should have seen him beat Kurt Angle at BFG but seen him lose controversially when the ref failed to spot his arm under the ropes when he counted the pin on him. I am sure he will win the title (probably by the time this goes to print) but the decision not to put the strap on him at BFG, which is their biggest show of the year, makes a mockery of the whole Bound For Glory Series tournament (which is how he earned his title shot).

You can also read my exclusive interview with him (conducted 5 days prior to BFG) elsewhere in this issue. Make sure you read his thoughts on me asking if he would give UK’s own Magnus a title shot on the UK tour in January.

As part of the New Era, Dixie Carter is now officially back in control of TNA. If you remember she was (storyline) tricked out of control 12 months ago by Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan. When Sting beat Hulk Hogan at BFG he regained control for Dixie. In the process Immortal began to implode as Hogan turned face after the match and

Page 12 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

pictures copyright

on Fox

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UFC ON FOX - VELASQUEZ VS. DOS SANTOS Page 13

WOW! Well, the UFC certainly knows how to make an entrance. In this, the organisations NETWORK TELEVISION DEBUT (IN THE US) THEY PUT ON ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND MOST EXPLOSIVE NIGHTS OF MMA ACTION TO DATE AS THE HEAVYWEIGHT BELT SWITCHED WAISTLINES ONCE AGAIN. Defending champion Cain Velasquez made his return to the cage just over a year since he won the heavyweight title from Brock Lesnar to defend his title for the first time!

In his way stood unbeaten Brazilian Junior Dos Santos, with Velasquez also unbeaten in the UFC someone was about to lose there unbeaten record, but blink and you might have just missed it.

After Big John McArthy got us underway Velasquez went straight to work in his usual calm and methodical way targeting the legs of Dos Santos with some heavy leg kicks.

Dos Santos countered these with a few punches but all in all it was a pretty quiet opening minute.

The next few seconds were anything but quiet as Velasquez went in with a left Dos Santos threw a right overhand conecting right on the temple of the champion.

This shook Velasqez’ equilibreum up and he fell to the floor into an instinctive defensive position. Dos Santos saw that his opponent was hurt and lept straight on him firing in some damaging left punches and Velasquez was out! Big John stepped in and well, the rest as they say is history, the new undefeated, undisputed heavyweight champion, Junior Dos Santos.

Dos Santos went into this fight not 100% and in his own words, because of this a little scared of Velasquez but he needn’t have been as he made short work of the former champ.

There is no doubt that Velasquez will be back to challenge for the belt and who wouldn’t want to see a rematch with both fighters 100% fighting fit.

First though for Dos Santos will be a first defence against the winner of the much anticipated Lesnar vs.

Overeem fight on December 30th (check out our review of UFC 141 in this issue).

As for the undercard well that didn’t dissapoint either with an absolutely epic fight between Lightweights Clay Guida and Ben Henderson.

Any fight with Clay Guida in is guarenteed to be entertaining and this one started and finished at 100mph. In Henderson the UFC has one of it’s most promising young talents, an awesome all round fighter with some of the best takedown defences in the game and boy did he need them in this one.

Guida was his usual unpredictable self bouncing round the ring like Blanco from Streetfighter looking to confuse and surprise Henderson.

On the other hand Henderson was his absolute opposite, calm, composed and measured with everything he did.

Within the first minute this fight exploded into action, as Guida threw a punch Henderson dropped him with a left, right combo, Guida jumped back to his feet and what followed was one of the best slugfest’s you will likely see as both fighters stood and swung wild punches at one another. This ended with Henderson dropping Guida again in similar fashion but this time taking Guida’s back and hitting him with some painful blows to his side.

The fight continued with Guida tryng to take Henderson to the floor but only really once succeeding but very nearly choking Henderson out in the process.

Henderson continued to defend well and picked Guida off with some great stand up round by round.

This was a close fight but Henderson showed why he is the number one contender to Frankie Edgars Lightweight Belt with an impressive, controlled victory.

Full Results...

Junior dos Santos dfts Cain Velasquez via knockout at 1:04 of Round 1 Ben Henderson defeats Clay Guida via unanimous decision Dustin Poirier defeats Pablo Garza via submission at 1:32 of Round 2 Ricardo Lamas dfts Cub Swanson via submission at 2:16 of Round 2 DaMarques Johnson defeats Clay Harvsion via TKO at 1:34 of Round 1 Darren Uyenoyama defeats Kid Yamamoto via unanimous decision Robert Peralta dfts Mackens Semerzier via TKO at 1:54 of Round 3 Alex Caceres defeats Cole Escovedo via unanimous decision Mike Pierce defeats Paul Bradley via split decision Aaron Rosa defeats Matt Lucas via majority decision

141

UFC 141 - LESNAR VS. OVEREEM Page 15

On December 30th Brock Lesnar makes his second return to the Octagon to face UFC debutant Alastair Overeem in this, one of the most anticipated fights of the year.

It will be Lesnar’s first appearence since his title defence loss to Cain Velasquez back in October of 2010. In May of this year Lesnar was diagnosed with diverticulitis for the second time in his UFC career. This sidelined him untill August when after undergoing surgery to help deal with the ailment he made himself available to fight again.

It didn’t take long after this announcment for Lesnar’s next oppononent to be revealed and it came in the sizeable form of former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 World GP Heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem...

To read the rest of this article why not order a back issue, visit www. fightersmag.co.uk/ backissue

Page 16 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

USN PROTEIN FUEL 50 New USN product aims to fuel intense exercise USN have unveiled their latest product, the USN Protein Fuel 50. Available to order now, this high protein ready to drink offering gives support for high intensity resistance exercise and assists in the building of muscle mass and strength through muscle protein synthesis.

It contains 10.6g BCAAs, 50g protein and 20g carbohydrates, and comes in two flavours, chocolate and strawberry.

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The ready to drink Protein Fuel 50 is available in an easily portable 500ml bottle, ideal to take to and from the gym.

USN Protein Fuel 50 is very much a ‘take while on the go’ product, and would make an ideal compliment to fellow USN products such as the USN Pure Protein Bars, a tasty and convenient snack for athletes on the go. It is also perfectly complimented by USN Pure Protein IGF-1 sachets, a precise time release protein drink engineered for fast, intermediate and slow amino acid uptake.

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USN PROTEIN FUEL 50 - REVIEW Page 17

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Page 18 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

Stone Co Steve Austin Interviewed I recently had the opportunity to catch up with a real legend of the wrestling world, Stone Cold Steve Austin as he prepares for the launch of his new film, Tactical Force, on DVD and Blu Ray in October.

I had a chance to speak to him on his film career, his wrestling career, and got him to set the record straight on several points including how the infamous “Austin 3:16” speech came about…

Stone Cold, a real pleasure to speak to you.

have to stop them armed with just ‘simunition’ training ammo.

Entertainment One was kind enough to send me a copy of the film and I must say I really enjoyed it and it looked a lot of fun to do…

STEVE AUSTIN: Hey, you’re welcome man.

STEVE AUSTIN: Yeah, it was great fun to do and it had a good story, it was a story I hadn’t seen done before so I really wanted to do it.

You are over here promoting your new film, Tactical Force, so what can you tell the fans about it?

Can I ask if they let you do many stunts yourself?

SA: Well, I play the leader of a SWAT team that has to go on a training mission after screwing up a hostage rescue, and whilst we’re there we run into two rival gangs after the contents of a briefcase. We

STEVE AUSTIN: Anyone that says they do all their own stunts, that’s just BS. For a start the insurance company won’t let you, especially if the whole film is riding on you…

I do my own fight scenes as much as possible as you can se when you

watch the film, but when it comes time for the dangerous stuff, I’m smart enough to step back and let my stunt double take over!

You had a great supporting cast including Michael Jai White, Michael Shanks and Lexa Doig, what was it like working with them?

STEVE AUSTIN: I’m a big fan of Michael Jai White and he’s a great actor and he’s funny as hell too.

I wasn’t too familiar with Michael Shanks’ work from Stargate but he’s a great actor and the same with Lexa, I hadn’t seen too much of her stuff either but she’s great.

Can I ask which you prefer, wrestling or making movies?

STEVE AUSTIN: Well in terms of wrestling I have a PHD in that kind of stuff so to speak, but I’m still trying to find a way to totally unleash me or let me be totally that character (in films). I don’t think I’ve done that to my satisfaction in a role yet.

When I look at what I did as ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, which was a hell of an accomplishment that I don’t think too many people could have pulled off. The way I rode that lightning bolt, the whole anti hero kind of thing and all the situations I was put in… My point is if I could be as good an actor in front of a movie camera as I was as Stone Cold Steve Austin in the world of WWE, although I certainly have a long way to go to get there, I believe I have potential and I believe I’m learning and still trying to find that

STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN INTERVIEWED - BY TEDDY G Page 19

ld

By Teddy G

signature role and be comfortable in and let it all hang out.

Would you ever be tempted to back into the wrestling ring?

STEVE AUSTIN: Well you know people always talk about “one more match” with like CM Punk or whoever and that’s always a neat thought to think about but you know? but would it really happen you know? would I really wanna say “Hey I feel good; I’m going back to Pro Wrestling for 2 years”? No, that’s not gonna happen. I mean (pauses)… I tell you what I’m one of the biggest cheapskates that was ever in the business and I saved my money and I invested it. Luckily I’m not out on my ass yet, but if I was flat as a pancake and had to get back in the business, would I consider it? yeah, obviously ‘cuz that’s what I can

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TACTICAL FORCE - DVD REVIEW Page 21

DVD Review The latest release from Entertainment One is Tactical Force starring former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Stone Cold Steve Austin, along with a supporting cast including Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight), Michael Shanks (Artic Blast), and Lexa Doig (Jason X).

A genuinely entertaining film, with plenty of action and dark humour, as well as some excellent performances from both Austin and the supporting cast. This is one of the best action films I have seen this year, with action, humour, and a few unexpected twists along the way, its well worth checking it out.

‘Stone Cold’ stars as Tate, the leader of a less than by the book LAPD SWAT team, who are sent on a training exercise at an abandoned hangar after a slightly unorthodox hostage rescue lands them in trouble.

The training exercise goes awry when they stumble upon two competing sets of bad guys both after the same briefcase hidden nearby.

This leads to an action packed thrill ride as Austin leads his team into battle against them when they end up isolated and cut off with only blank training ammo and their wits to protect them.

Release Date: On Sale NOW! Certificate: 15 Format: DVD & Blu Ray From: Entertainment One Starring: ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Michael Jai White

Page 22 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

UFC 100 remains a landmark for the promotion and, with a pay-per-view record set that night of over one and a half million buys, the event will surely forever be etched into the rich tapestry of mma history.

Thiago Alves, however, will always remember that night for different reasons as it was on July 11th at the Mandalay Bay that his dream of becoming a UFC champion did not come true thanks to the relentless George St-Pierre.

The Brazilian’s fortunes have been somewhat mixed since this event but this Saturday’s win against undefeated Papy Abedi was clearly a huge step in the right direction for Alves.

Thiago first of all congratulations on the huge victory against Papy Abedi. In some respects do you think this fight was more dangerous than previous fights because Abedi’s a very tough guy that not a lot of people will have heard of?

Definitely. It’s a fight that I knew I had everything to lose and not

THIAGO ALVES - THE WRECKING MACHINE RETURNS Page 23

a lot to win and I had to do what I did to keep my career but it’s good and I like those kind of challenges. I like those challenges in my career and in my life because they make me stronger.

How did it feel getting a win by submission finally in the UFC? You’re known primarily for your devastating Muay Thai; has there been a change in your training programme after some of the fights you’ve taken against tough wrestlers?

I always had submission skills and people forget that. I’ve trained with American Top Team for over nine years now so I get to train with black belts on a daily basis but I’ve never really had the opportunity to submit anybody.

Well I did have the opportunity but I like to punish people with punches and knockouts but Papy turned his back on me when I was punching him so I took it.

This victory obviously meant a lot to you and, after tough fights that you’ve gone through in the past, do you see this victory as a corner turned? Is this the start of another chapter in the career of Thiago Alves?

Definitely and I’m definitely a new person with a new mentality. I learn a lot throughout this camp for this fight and I’ve got the right people with me. I’ve got Mike Dolce doing my strength and conditioning as well as my nutrition and I’ve got the best coaches in the business over at American Top Team and the best training partners.

It’s just a matter of time now for me to become everything that I said I was going to become.

I will be a world champion; it’s just a matter of time.

So what was different about this training camp specifically when compared to other training camps?

vs GSP @ UFC 100

I learned a lot in my last fight with Rick Story. You never leave it up to the judges but I had such a good training camp that when it came to fight time I just wanted things to happen. I didn’t want to work.

I just wanted things to happen like a miracle; like I’d just throw a kick and he’d just hit his head on my leg or something like that and I learned that you’ve got to put in work in training but if you don’t perform when it matters then it’s all for nothing.

Sometimes you forget these things when you get good wins but now I’m focused on performing whenever I step inside the Octagon and I’m really excited for this new phase in my career.

Going forward from this fight is there anyone that you’ve currently got your eye on taking on next? Are there any fights

vs Papy Abedi @ UFC 138

that really interest you or are you content to wait it out?..

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BJ PEN Page 24 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

The Final Bell?

You’ll never hear anyone accuse BJ Penn of utilizing lay and pray to win a fight. Go back & watch all of Penn’s fights & you’ll never see Penn do “just enough” to gain a victory.

What you’ll see from the very beginning until the very end is a warrior who went full boar from start to finish. It didn’t matter who the opponent was or what the circumstances were, Penn gave everything he had & then some.

If tonight’s fight with Nick Diaz was truly the last time we will see Penn ever put on the 4oz.

Gloves or grace us with his

presence inside the Octagon, then we saw what Penn was truly all about.

If there was one knock on BJ throughout his entire 10 year career it was his cardio. He was simply unable to maintain the pace that was necessary to finish the job at times.

That was never more evident than it was tonight. Penn showed off the all-around skills

that allowed him to be only the third man in the sports history to capture titles in two different weight classes.

His boxing was crisp as he kept Diaz off guard with a fantastic jab & his grappling was good enough for him to briefly take the back of a man Penn himself said has some of the best pure BJJ in all of MMA. Unfortunately he seemed to slow down in the second round, which can be attributed to the pressure Diaz put on as much as Penn simply beginning to tire & slow down.

As Diaz gained more confidence & began to pepper Penn with shots to the head & body, BJ tired more & more. This continued through the 3rd round until the final bell on the fight & “The Prodigy’s” career sounded...

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N

BJ PENN - THE FINAL BELL? Page 25

Page 26 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

I recently had chance to catch up with possibly the hardest working guy in pro wrestling, TNA’s own ‘JB’ Jeremy Borash. Although I had met him at several events, I had never really had a chance to chat to him in depth.

So it was good to finally pick his brains on a number of subjects…

Hi JB how’s it going, sound like you had a busy day today with all the PR stuff?

JEREMY BORASH: Oh yeah!

Are you just here promoting TNA as usual or have you anything special planned for the UK fans?

JEREMY BORASH: Yeah, we’re just here promoting Xplosion in its new time slot, and the rebranding of the show (Impact Wrestling), so we’re telling everybody we can about that. So far the ratings have been real good so can’t complain… so that’s about it.

I like what they have revamped Xplosion and taken it to the next level and sort of made it your equivalent of Smackdown…

JEREMY BORASH: Yeah, and that was the most important thing. The UK is such an important market and having Xplosion on after Impact kept the audience, but we thought why not take this show and give it its own audience and its own feed and put it on Wednesday nights. So far its done really really well.

who wasn’t interesting in some way or form so it really just lets them be themselves and it’s kind of like the fans being allowed into the guys locker room and see what these guys are really like and the kind of personalities these guys have and that’s really been the success of the show.

As far as the content goes, we’re giving the fans some explosive matches and putting Spin Cycle on there. I think it’s a show UK fans can really adopt as their own as we talk about a lot of things going on in the UK, and it’s really the number one market in the world that Xplosion airs in. So I really think it’s one of those show UK fans can call their own.

I can personally attest to the fact its unscripted and uncensored as I was at the ones you recorded in London and Manchester this year, and you really don’t know what is going to come out of the mouths of either the wrestlers or the fans for that matter…

I like how they have cut out a lot of the messing about and get down to the action on it now, and I am also a big big fan of Spin Cycle. In fact I watched the one last night where you asked about secret crushes, that looks so much fun to do, is it?

JEREMY BORASH: A lot of times we do the show and send it off to different parts of the country and different parts of the world and I’m always curious to see what they might edit out for content reasons.

Something might be a little racy or maybe a little too personal, but watching the show on Challenge last night they didn’t edit out a thing. That’s like wow, that’s as raw and uncensored as the show gets. Luckily it’s on at ten O’clock and so hopefully the kiddies aren’t watching anything they shouldn’t be seeing. From the pure content of the show, I’m happiest when it’s not being edited at all. In certain market and for certain audiences it has to be cut down a little bit, but here in the UK on Challenge it airs as is which is great for the fans.

JEREMY BORASH: (laughs) The great thing about that show is it gives the guys the chance to really just be themselves. It’s unscripted, uncensored, and really uncensored last night!

My personal favourite was when you got Christy Hemme to admit she sleeps nude!

JEREMY BORASH: (laughs) yeah, who knew right? (laughs). The idea we had when we came up with that show was to show the fans the personalities these guys have. I’ve yet to meet a professional wrestler

You mention about editing it, and I have seen you actually doing that yourself actually at the events, and I know

JEREMY BORASH - INTERVIEW BY TEDDY G Page 27

Interview

you are possibly the hardest working guy in the business sometimes and I know you wear a lot of hats for TNA with producing, presenting, commentating, etcetera… what are you personally happiest doing?

JEREMY BORASH: Firstly just to clarify I’d say I’m probably the hardest working guy in wrestling that does not get his ass kicked on a regular basis (laughs). I never have to step in the ring and I never would. I have a deep appreciation of what the guys do but I would never even think of doing it especially because the times when I have got physically involved it’s been painful, or I’ve ended up in the hospital somewhere so it’s not good.

But to answer you question, as far as what I personally enjoy doing… this past pay per view.

Getting to do play by play with Mike Tennay a Destination X was a real career highlight just in terms of personally. Getting to do a lot of ring announcing and stuff over the years, you kind of get in a routine and its not as exciting as doing a live pay per view. Getting to do live commentary with Mike after nine years, that was a really enjoyable night. Also getting to do commentary on Xplosion too at the moment is really exciting to me too.

But I guess getting out and meeting the fans and doing the fan parties too. We are on course to give out over ten thousand back stage passes to the fans this year. Getting to see the looks on the faces of the fans when they get to meet the guys, that’s always awesome...

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Page 28 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

make his second defence of On Saturday 10th December Jon ‘Bones’ Jones will st former holder Lyoto his UFC Light Heavyweight championship Title again to, Ontario.

‘The Dragon’ Machida at The Air Canada Center, Toron After beating Shogun Rua in impressive fashion at UFC 128 back in March Jones made his first defence of the Light Heavyweight title against Rampage Jackson at UFC 135 in September, a fight which Jones dominated from start to finish.

This will be Jones 4th fight of 2011, fighting this many times is very rare in the UFC but Jones is ready and the UFC seem to want to keep there young star active.

Machida on the other hand has had a relatively quiet year with just one fight, that being against hall of famer Randy Couture, Machida’s first win since losing the title to Shogun Rua back in May of last year.

Machida will pose a different threat to any that Jones has faced before.

He is a much more evasive striker and mover compared to the upfront and in your face styles of recent opponents Bader, Rua and Jackson. He may find it hard to corner someone who is constantly moving around looking for angles to fire in shots.

But how will Machida get inside the huge reach of Jones to be able to land any dangerous blows? This is the problem every

one of Jones opponents has come up against, a problem that none have found an answer for, yet.

Machida should be the first to do this and possibly the first to ask Jones a few testing questions about how he reacts to actually getting hit?

Although Machida has only been beaten up once, in his Born: Jonathan Dwight Jones July 19, 1987 (age 24) Rochester, New York, U.S. Nationality: American Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) Reach: 841⁄2 in (215 cm) Style: Greco-Roman Wrestling Team: Jackson’s MMA Trainer: Greg Jackson MMA Record: 14-1

second fight against Shogun Rua, he will find it hard to evade the long and unpredictable strikes of Jones for long. Equally if Machida does find a way through Jones attack then he may find himself very quickly on his back with Jones on top of him, possibly an even more dangerous place to be against one of the best wrestler’s in the business...

Born: Lyoto Carvalho Machida May 30, 1978 (age 33) Salvador, Bahia, Brazil Nationality: Brazilian Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) Style: Karate Reach: 74 in (188 cm) Team: Black House Trainer: Yoshizo Machida MMA Record: 19-2

140

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pictures copyright

UFC 140: JON JONES VS. LYOTO MACHIDA Page 29

Page 30 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

Michael Bisping has long been seen as a UFC figurehead in the UK. The brash Brit, since winning TUF3 back in 2006, has fought three main events and has a very impressive 11-3 UFC record.

It’s amazing to see just how far his victory has served as a catalyst for the sport’s rapid growth and development in the UK. The resultant increase of talent levels and quality training camps is surely testament to this.

That being said, there is a lot of criticism levelled at Bisping for a variety of reasons.

The American fans have an extremely jagged love/hate relationship with him. And the community is always incredibly vocal in its thoughts about the British fighter but, opinions aside, his achievements in the cage are undoubtedly commendable.

When looking at fighters and their careers it’s interesting to chart their evolution and watch them develop both as athletes and martial artists.

vs Matt Hamill @ UFC 75

Looking at TUF3 again you only have to look at the leaps and bounds that Matt Hamill has made since leaving the house.

It would have been insane to think that, at the genesis of his career, Hamill would go on to possess head kick knockout power and the ability to dominate his TUF mentor Tito Ortiz.

Michael Bisping has made giant steps throughout his UFC career but one element has unfortunately remained constant throughout; his inability to avoid the big right hand.

Some might say that this is a harsh claim to level at any fighter but, as Bisping moves into title contention, he surely has to realise that this is a flaw that will leave him painfully exposed at the highest level.

The current season of TUF reignited my journalistic interest in the career of the Count and I felt compelled to look back through the UFC career of Michael Bisping and chart a whistle-stop tour of his top six encounters with the overhand right.

6) Michael Bisping vs. Ross Pointon TUF3 Semi-Final – 22nd June 2006 It was the rematch that Ross Pointon had been waiting for since the two first met back in 2005 for UK promotion Cage Warriors.

TUF 3 was the first time that fighters from outside North America had been featured on the show and they had both got off to quite different starts.

Ross Pointon had come up short against eventual winner Kendall Grove whereas Bisping had steamrolled his way through Kristian Rothermael in impressive fashion.

Following Matt Hamill’s injury in his victorious qualifying bout, Dana White needed a stand in to take a fight on at light heavyweight.

Pointon was only too happy to oblige and the rematch was on.

Bisping pushed the pace early but, as he came forward, Pointon landed a looping right hook that staggered his opponent for a brief second. Bisping jogged backwards to clear the cobwebs and remarked, “That’s the last one you’re getting.”

BISPING’S KRYPTONITE - THE OVERHAND RIGHT Page 31

By Ben Cartlidge To read the rest of this article why not order a back issue, visit www. fightersmag.co.uk/ backissue Bisping would go on to land a beautiful flying knee and finish Pointon with some ground and pound, advancing himself to the final in the process, but the warning signs were there for all to see.

5) Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill: UFC 75 8th September 2007 It was Bisping’s second UFC appearance in the UK but this was to be a much sterner test.

The Brit had survived an early scare against Elvis Sinosic to take home a TKO victory back at UFC 70 but Matt Hamill was an altogether different prospect.

The two had clashed on TUF 3, despite both being members of Team Ortiz, and it was sure to be a great fight with a clear stylistic clash.

As soon as the fight began Bisping was under siege as Hamill, the decorated wrestler, seemed happy to stand up and strike with his foe.

Bisping began regaining his composure after a slow start but, deep into the first round, Hamill duly rang his bell with a looping overhand right that brought the crowd to their feet.

The Hammer felt the recoil from that shot and swarmed to finish quickly.

Bisping, clearly rattled, did a good job of surviving and spent the rest of the fight cautiously implementing his hit and run gameplan...

Page 58 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

R

ecently I caught up with Nathan Bendon, an eighteen year old Thai Boxer with aspirations to make a name for himself. For the last seven years he‘s been training in Thai Boxing, starting at K-Star gym and now at Corefit UK, where he’s an assistant coach.

Winning three British Junior Championship tournaments, and recently winning the his first A class fight for the ISKA British Title. I got an insight into his live inside and outside the ring.

Why did you become involved in martial arts and what’s your fighting background?

Basically I wanted to get fit, my older brother was interested in it so I went along with him. To be honest I didn’t want to fight or compete, I didn’t even want to spar.

How does your family feel about you fighting?

They are very supportive, I sell around 100 tickets a show to family and friends. My parents are really proud of me but my mom always gets nervous, my dad lives in Essex but he comes to all of my fights, and they are all dedicated to my training as well.

What made you decide to give Thai Boxing a serious go?

Henry Cleminson my instructor told about a show that was on. I really didn’t want to fight but he encouraged me. My first fight I was really nervous, I still get scared now, but after my first fight I loved it. Then I entered a British championship at junior level, I only went for the experience because you can have three fights in a day. Obviously your are padded up, but I won it. Then I went to adult level at sixteen, which is the age you start at, and had my first C

class fight. This was bare shin, and I won that which was amazing.

You won your last fight. Tell me about it?

Yes. It was against Kevin Kevolik (Wu Tang) for the ISKA British Title, at the Night of Champions at Gate-

crasher night club in Birmingham. I won in the first fifty seconds of round one. A left body shot, it was a good stoppage.

Pindi won the fight because of the body kicks which score high. But for the crowd pleasing I say I won.

What is your current fighting record?

Amateur level 11 wins, 2 loses and 2 draws. Adult level 4 wins, 3 loses, but I have fought some really good people. I fought Pindi Madahar, from TMA Academy, for the Midlands Title. It was a very close fight. I have fought a guy called Patrick Holmes who’s got a lot more experienced than me, so there have been some tough opponents. After the last fight I think I have put my name on the circuit, and hopefully next year (2012) is going to be quite big for me. Nothing has been confirmed but there are some good names in the pipeline.

Yogendra Parekh the founder of Black Widow Martial Arts has took me under his wing, he is a really nice bloke, and he has said he will get me on one of his shows, he is a big promoter and hopefully I will have some good fights.

What is like to be knocked down in a fight and how do you deal with that?

I fought Sam Bainbridge and he stopped me in the second round, I took two big knees to the mouth and went down. I wasn’t knocked out I just couldn’t make the count, but it was the worst feeling in the world.

I know I have fought some good guys and have given people a good beating and I’ve took beatings too.

But that was my worst experience of my life. He did tell me it was a lucky shot, I’m taking anything away fro him. But I would like rematch, he hasn’t agreed to one yet. I had to lose a lot of weight the day before the fight because my fighter changed, I had to lose nearly a stone. The first round I was really strong, I was hurting him with my hands and big kicks.

The second round all my energy had gone out of me and couldn’t really move to be honest with you.

What has been your most memorable fight so far and why?

That would be the Pindi Madahar fight. It was the hardest fight I have ever had, it was five rounds of toe to toe pure brawling. Hopefully there will be a rematch soon and we will have a good fight again. Pindi is a really nice bloke, I went down and trained with him and his camp, he is very humble but he hits hard. I sold about eighty five tickets and he sold about one hundred and fifty, it was at the Tower Ballroom in Edgbaston and the atmosphere was electric, I was so scared.

Have you ever sustained any bad injuries that have kept you out of fighting?

I had fluid on my elbow for a little bit.

I was kicked in a fight on the my right elbow, when I went the doctors and they said they will drain it out. When I was a junior I kept on having blackouts, I had three on the trot and the doctors were telling me not to train until I had some tests. I carried on fighting and won a British Title and three different tournaments through those years. There is a tournament for the up and coming junior fighters every year for a British title, and every one I entered in I won. So if I

: Was that your most proud fight?

Yes. Even tho I lost, I won the hearts of the crowd. I didn’t get the decision but a lot of people said I won it.

There was a lot of arguing over the internet over the decision. From the judging point of view, I would say

stopped, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Maybe I shouldn’t have carried on but I don’t regret it.

When your coming into a fight who or what’s keep you motivated?

My instructor Henry Cleminson and Heath Murphy. Heath Murphy, I class

NATHAN BENDON - YOUNG UP & COMING FIGHTERS Page 59

the benefits of being there?

Henry Cleminson. He is incredible.

He’s so knowledgeable, even though he is only twenty eight he’s taught me everything I know basically. He takes a big interest in his students, we’ve got a lot of good young, up and coming fighters. The teenagers are doing really well in their inter clubs. Henry sees things that no one else does, but he doesn’t keep it to himself, he wants his fighters to do well. He will encourage and help anyone he can.

as my fitness coach, he is forty one years old and his fitness is incredible.

They remind me how much I train, 12 times a week and I have a really good training programme. Henry Cleminson is awesome he is such a motivator, and gives me great backing. Obviously all the fans in crowd get you geared up. I get nervous, I used to feel like I wanted to cry, but as I’ve got more experienced and had more fights I can relax and learned channel my energy into the fight.

Who would say is your biggest fan?

I would have to say my mom, she cooks me the meals for my diet, makes sure I’m up and out ready for the morning runs. Takes my tickets and promotes my fights so I can concentrate on preparing for the fight.

She is very proud, always telling her friends about me

to your own devise, you can go to the classes three times a week but need more to be ready for a fight .With Henry now he will drag me out of bed a half six to go on a eight mile run, five times a week, pad work seven times a week then have a one day off the next week. Its really hard but he gets me geared up for it. Its lot for an eighteen year old lad not to be going out with his friends or having a late night with your girl friend. I can do all that when I’m

Are you training for a fight at the moment?

I’m going to be out on a show in February, Yogendra Parekh the founder of Black Widow Martial Arts has took me under his wing. He’s a really nice bloke, and a big promoter and hopefully I will have some good fights. I’m not training for a fight specifically now, I’m doing a strength and conditioning programme at the moment. Its going to help my power and strength, also were doing a lot of resistance training. So my weight to hit ratio will be a lot higher, I may fight light but hit a lot harder.

I’m just trying to keep my weight down and relax, enjoy Christmas but keep myself in training to get stronger.

n o d n e B n a h t a N : and when we go to family parties, its a good feeling.

Being a fighter is more than just stepping into the ring, do you agree?

Yes. You have to be very disciplined.

When I trained with K-Star, they are a very successful gym and they have got some good fighters. But your left

done with my fights.

Your at Corefit UK now.

What are

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The Highway to Success Page 34 WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK

A Biography of Marlon Hunt

Marlon ‘The Game’ Hunt with nearly 100 professional bouts and only 3 losses is an 8x World Professional Full Contact Kickboxing Champion at 4 different weight categories from Light Heavyweight to Super Cruiserweight, ranked No1 In the world in all top organisations and is coached and managed by the world renowned Andre Mannaart of Mejiro Gym Amsterdam.

This article is about how he started in Martial Arts up to being ranked Undisputed No1 in World.

The Beginning Hunt has been studying Martial arts for 20 years. He was born in the UK, but moved to Holland when he was 6yrs old with his mother, as his parents had split up. Because of this he was a troubled kid at school getting into trouble and at the time not realising until he was much older in life that he in fact had ADHD

(Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). He got into Martial Arts by watching Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jean Claude Van Damme films, so he started to do Traditional Karate to focus his aggression, but he did not really like the Kata side of it he just liked to spar.

He then moved and started training in Thai Boxing when he was older which was very different to Karate as its more fitness orientated and you can use low kicks and

knees whilst sparring. He trained at the same gym as Ramond ‘ The Diamond ‘ Dekkers he is now a Thaiboxing legend, as he was one of the 1st Europeans to beat the Thais and win a title in Thailand.

Coming Back to the UK and Amateur Fighter During this time Hunt just finished off his education in Holland and had quite a few Thaiboxing bouts, but due to there being a lack of knowledge at the time of ADHD and Hunt getting into trouble in and out of school he was sent back to England to live with his father. He then started to do British Combat which was made popular

by Peter Constendine and Geoff Thompson which he enjoyed a lot as you use punches and kicks, but you can also take people down and grapple with them on the floor.

(It was an early version of Mixed Martial Arts and is very good for Street Self Defence) which helped a lot as Hunt was a fully qualified door supervisor for 10 years and has done a lot of close protection work with the likes of So Solid Crew, Baby D, Tim Westwood and Katie Price...

THE HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS - A BIOGRAPHY OF MARLON HUNT Page 35

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A Born Fighter When one thinks about natural fighters many kinds of ideas come to mind. The street tough orphan or the naturally born athlete, blond haired and blue eyed. In Japan, in many of the Chanbara media (samurai fiction) the perfect warrior is a tall, darkly handsome anti-hero who thumbs his nose at society in general.

They are revered and worshipped from an early age.

No one really wants to believe the average Joe, let alone the underdog, could ever become a force to become reckoned with.

They are supposed to become the sheep that flock among the masses adoring the idols or just disappear like a ghost. Anyone with a physical or mental challenge is far worse off as they are viewed as an object to be gossiped about or feared.

The difficulties for parents are many, the pressures financially and emotionally raising a child with any kind of “difficulty” can be weighty enough, but when you add the social burden of raising a child that is different, it can become far worse. People in every community, every city, every country, in every part of the world, love to point fingers and cast out anyone or anything that doesn’t fit their ideas of normality. The parents who

ignore the prejudice and fight on for their families’ sake are truly to be commended. Challenges such as these really separate the strong from the rest of society.

Ultimately though, the children need to fight for themselves literally and metaphorically. Martial arts are the perfect start. In addition to building physical attributes, they build self esteem and self worth.

When a child truly values him or herself as a worthwhile human being it shows. That becomes a kind of aura that no one can ignore.

Cameron McFadzen is a perfect example of this point. The following is from his mother Jennifer Todd.

Cam’s condition is called Ectodacyl aka cleft hand and feet or EEC (ectodermal ectodactyl cleftting syndrome). Cam has three fingers on his left hand and two his right (his thumb & forefinger are fused and he has a pinkie). You can’t see his feet, he has only two toes on each foot. His hands and feet are deeply cleft - he’s missing bones in his hands and feet in the mid section so that they all “v” to his wrists and ankles. This makes balancing on one foot challenging (because there isn’t much of a foot there).

Cam is 9 years old and attends Kings Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington. He is an excellent student and gifted artist.

He has been studying martial arts since he was six at Eastside Martial Arts in Kirkland, Washington and hopes to earn his black belt by

his birthday this September, even though he took 4 months off when he broke his arm.

He has also studied Kumdo, the martial art of Korean sword fighting, and Tae Kwon Do sparring. He competed in the 2010 Washington State Governor’s Cup Taekwondo Championship placing 2nd in board breaking and a medal in sparring.

Cameron is an all around athletic kid, he won 1st place in the 2010 Olympic Snow Sports School Snowboarding Competition and is a proud 2011 All State Greco Wrestler his first year wrestling for Northshore Mat Kids Wrestling Club. Cameron has also just finished playing in the 2011 baseball season for the Northshore Christian Little League champion team, The Infernos.

The most important thing Cameron has learned from competing in martial arts and sports is that you don’t always win the first time or all the time but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to win.

Sometimes you have to work harder and stick with something until your strengths start to shine through and then you will start winning.

Tae kwon do has given Cameron increased physical prowess and a belief in his ability to compete in sports, but more importantly, it has given him values which have carried through to other areas of his life and are essential to his social success.

Physically Tae Kwon Do has fostered the development of his balance; muscle coordination

CAMERON McFADZEN - A BORN FIGHTER Page 37

and core muscle strength which has helped Cameron excel in many sports like snowboarding, baseball and wrestling. But more profoundly, martial arts have helped Cameron develop core values which will serve him throughout his life. The victory of knocking a kicking bag to ground for the first time, the confidence of striking through a board and the pride felt from earning a belt has translated into traits that have allowed Cameron to raise his hand in class, stand up to bullies and tell (numerous) girls that he likes them.

Martial art training has taught him not to give up when things are hard and to enjoy the battle before

victory. Most importantly, knowing he has a brotherhood with martial artists who believe in him which makes it possible for Cameron to believe in himself and his ability to succeed under adverse conditions.

In August 2011 he will be honored at Chief Master Robert J. Ott’s Korean martial Arts Seminar in ‌, Washington and presented a special award reserved for young people who triumph over overwhelming odds.

The purpose of this article? Not to be another odd addition to a wide collection of articles. This is to make us rethink our perceptions and stereotypes and see potential where others show disdain or pity.

As martial artists and parents we can start to make that change.

We need to acknowledge that the martial arts really ARE for everyone and not only open our doors but open our minds and hearts as well.

Remember that Chinese martial arts as we know it started with sickly monks who were constantly under attack. Think about that.

Master Guy Edward Larke has dedicated his life from a young age to the pursuit of the martial arts, Asian culture and hopology.

It led him to Korea in 2000 and has lived there since then. He lives in Seongnam city with his wife GiRyung and son Alexander. He holds black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, Taekkyon, Bon Kuk Kumdo, Korean kickboxing, Karate-do, Wushu, Cheonji-muye-do, and various other arts. Currently he teaches Taekwondo, Karate and Cheonjimuye-do full time in addition to writing for various magazines and running Kisa-Do Muye & Marketing.

He can be contacted at kisa_do_ muye@yahoo.ca.

By Master Guy E. Larke

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