S
MMA PLUS TEAM
CEO/Editor-In-Chief
ROBERTO REID
Ast. Editor/Writer
jorden Curran
Photographer
mark blundell
neekmunoz@hotmail.co.uk Creative Director
KEN MUNOZ
EDITOR SPEAKS It never stops fight fans, issue 3 of the UK’s only FREE to print mixed martial arts magazine is here. The impact the magazine has made in a short space of time has truly left Team Plus gob smacked and we continue to go from strength to strength as we release our last issue of 2013. As always we have listen to fans feedback and as a result we believe this issue is the best one yet.
As always I’d like to thanks the usual suspects masters Blundell (Mark), Curran (Jorden) and Munoz (Ken) for all their hard work in making this all possible. I would like to give a VERY special mention to photographer George Fairbairn for the amazing photoshoot he did with cover star Paul Daley and I can’t forget BAMMA’s Izzy Carnwath for putting us in touch with George. Also, I would like to thank Lewis Smith, Brad Taylor, Ben Szwediuk, Matt Walton and last but not least Capcom Cory Tait for their contribution to this month’s magazine.
As always we at MMAPLUS will continue to push this fan lead publication to the next level and beyond in the coming months and we have some truly big plans for this new and innovative publication, so stay posted. Fans should expect to read exclusive interviews from some of the top names in combat sports, as well as some exclusive digital content that you wont find anywhere else. As Editor, I am truly excited at what the future holds for MMA PLUS Combat Sports & Lifestyle Magazine.
THE ROUND UP
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TOP STORIES Michael Bisping Gustafsson vs Manuwa TOP TWEETS
REGULAR
Top Tweets For November
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Judo Jim Wallhead
BAMMA 14
Bamma 14 Competition
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A HISTORY OF...UFC
Where Are They Now?
LEGEND OF THE MONTH
FEATURE
Ian Freeman
1
15
PAUL DALEY
A
29
PLUS GEAR Review
SMUGGLING DUDS
Your Duds Are In Safe Hands
GENERATION
Fighting For
PERFORMANCE
STUFF
Semtex Blasts Back
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MATT WALTON
Winning Attitude
TECHNIQUE SCHOOL
Strike Like Capcom
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CORY TAIT
ANDERSON SILVA
Introducing Capcom
BABE
An Evening With
BABE OF THE MONTH Sierra Rene
ALL THE LATEST NEWS OF MMA WORLD AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
THE ROUND UP
Top STories WRITTEN BY ROBERTO REID
MICHAEL BISPING
Bisping Cleared For Spring Return Michael Bisping has been told by his doctor to get back in the gym and book himself a fight.The TUF season 3 winner has been on the sidelines since May due to a recurring problem with a detached retina. During an appearance on yesterday’s UFC Tonight, ‘The Count’ sounded excited at the prospect of returning to the Octagon within a few months. “They’ve given me the green light to start properly training again,” he said “I’ve been running and lifting weights for a while. Now I can get back in the MMA gyms to work on a few things. “He actually said, ‘call the UFC and book a fight. You’re definitely going to be able to fight around March or April of next year.’” Bisping was given the all-clear to train for a fight with Mark Munoz after his first eye operation in May. However, he was back in surgery in September after the retina in his right eye detached again. Munoz went on to get knocked out in the first round by Lyoto Machida at UFC Fight Night 30 last month in Manchester.
GUSTAFSSON VS MANUWA 02 Arena To Host In March 2014
British light-heavyweight Jimi Manuwa (14-0) will face one of the division’s very top contenders when he meets Alexander Gustafsson (15-2), in the headline attraction of the UFC’s return to London in March. Announced on BT Sports Beyond the Octagon, the bout comes following the withdrawal of injury prone contender Antonio Rogerio Nogueira who was recently announced to be Gustafsson’s opponent, only to pull out soon after. Sweden’s Gustafsson most recently challenged Jon Jones for the UFC light-heavyweight championship at UFC 165 in September. Jones edged ‘The Mauler’ in a close yet highly debated unanimous decision that many saw going to the Swede.
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Throwing aside the disappointment of missing out on the chance to fight back home, Bisping has now set his sights on a top-five opponent, brushing aside the usual call-outs from certain American fighters. The latest in a long line of middleweights looking to step into the cage with the Brit is #10 ranked Tim Kennedy. The Strikeforce veteran is fresh off a stunning first-round KO of Rafael Natal at the UFC: FIght for the Troops 3, but Bisping is yet to be impressed. “He’s had a couple wins against people that I’ve never heard of, and he’s trying to get some notoriety,” he said. “Of course, people like to call me out, so I’m no stranger to that. Good for him, I wish him all the best. “He had a great knockout in his last fight. He wants to fight me. I’ve never turned down an opponent once, and I’m certainly not going to start with Tim Kennedy. “If that’s who the UFC want me to fight, I’ll happily fight him.”
Should Gustafsson best Manuwa in London, he will once again be set to challenge for Jones’ crown. In contrast, Manuwa last competed at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs Munoz, in Manchester on October 26. 3-0 in his UFC career, it’s been a somewhat frustrating start for ‘The Posterboy’ who butchered American Kyle Kingsbury in his UFC debut forcing a doctor stoppage however, the knockout specialist went on to out-strike Cyrille Diabate and most recently Ryan Jimmo, only to be denied a finish with both opponents suffering midfight injuries. Gustafsson vs Manuwa will take place on March 8 at London’s O2 Arena.
Jimi Manuwa
WARRIOR
N R G
NUTRITION RECOVERY GROWTH
THE WINNER’S FORMULA www.warriornrg.com
The round up
TOP STORIES TOP TWEETS Photo of the month
top tweets Top 5 Tweets for novemeber
We take a brief look at what some of the movers & shakers of mixed martial arts were tweeting about during NOVEMBER!
TWEET US @MMAPLUS
@TheNotoriousMMA
BAMMA COMPETITION
@mmasarah
SARA KAUFMAN Former Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Champion Sara Kaufman had the following to say about the UFC 167 main event.
@mmasarah “Omg Hendricks is going to be the NEW welterweight champion!! Gsp took rd 5 but I have the score 48-47 Hendricks #ufc167”
@TommyToeHold
conor mcgregor
Tommy toe hold
Rising UFC featherweight star Conor McGregor gave fans some insight of what he thought of himself.
The cartoon host of TTTHS! Responds to a ‘fan’ dying to see the next installment of his popular show.
@TheNotoriousMMA “Smoother than Ben with more flow than Ken!! @UFC’s P4P Best dressed in the business @Dethrone @louis_copeland No.1”
@TommyToeHold :Still working! RT @j_cohl @TommyToeHold when did you retire from making sh**ty cartoons? Its been like eleventeen days
@StephanBonnar
@TheQueerGuy
STEPHAN BONNAR
Leeroy barnes
In a case of mistaken identity TUF great Stephan Bonnar was mistaken for a certain American gangster.
UK middleweight Leeroy Barnes gives fans a sneak peak at his video interview with frontrowmma. @TheQueerGuy it’s ok Rosco I did a an interview today for @ frmmauk and got my arse out!! I’ll link you when it’s out :/)
@StephanBonnar The security guard at Albertsons just said, “Hey you’re that UFC fighter..(and before I can say Yes, he said),..”Chael Sonnen” @sonnench .
TWEET US @MMAPLUS
OTHER TWEETS THIS NOVEMBER @jusgem
GEMMA KANE @jusgem All #ukmma fans should follow @ MMAPLUSMagazine I’m just reading their first two issues #mmaukchat #FUK10
@GeorgesStPierre
gEORGES ST-PIERRE @GeorgesStPierre: “Johny and I gave you the Fight of the Night- hope you enjoyed it! Forget all the rumors- on vacation, happy & well!!!”
@Breese0121
Tom breese @Breese0121 Surgery complete, no injury will get in the way of my dreams
The round up
TOP STORIES TOP TWEETS Photo of the month
BAMMA COMPETITION
PHOTO BY MARK BLUNDELL
JIMMY WALLHEAD NICKNAME: : JUDO AGE: 29 HEIGHT: 5’10 WEIGHT: 170 LBS RECORDS: 24-8 BAMMA welterweight and leader of the new look Team Rough House, ‘Judo’ Jim Wallhead will look to get back to winning ways when he faces Florent Betorangal on December 14th at Birmingham’s LG Arena. Widely regarded as a one of the best mixed martial artists the UK has produced, Wallhead will be looking to once again showcase the red-hot form for BAMMA and hopefully earn himself an anticipated rematch with Eddy Elli
The round up
TOP STORIES TOP TWEETS Photo of the month
BAMMA 14 COMPETITION
MMA Plus hooked up with BAMMA to bring you an exciting new competition to celebrate their 14th event. The event will mark the return of the man known as the “Finishing Machine” Paul “Semtex” Daley. BAMMA 14 takes place on December 14th at Birmingham’s LG Arena. This competition will give fight fans the chance to see all the action from one of ‘Europe’s biggest show’. To stand a chance of winning this competition all you have to do is jump on twitter, follow @MMAPLUSMagazine and Tweet @
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BAMMA COMPETITION
MMAPLUSMagazine #BAMMA14COMP, or simply like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MMAPLUSUK. One lucky winner will be selected at random to receive a pair of tickets to the BAMMA 14 event. All entrants will be entered into the prize draw with the random winner being notified by Monday, December 9th. You got to be in it to win it so getting following, tweeting and liking us on Twitter and Facebook.
WWW.MMAPLUS.CO.UK
THE HISTORY OF.... LEGEND OF THE MONTH AND BEYOND THE CAGE
REGULAR
ufc 1 HISTORY OF. . .
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? WRITTEN BY BEN SZWEDIUK
@dukemedia_uk
Kevin Rosier Warmly remembered by fans of early MMA, the heavyweight kickboxer went out of UFC 1 in the second round after having his ribs broken through a stomp by Gordeau. Rosier still maintained a smile on his face even after a painful loss. He fought six more times in MMA up to the year 2000, winning just once. After working for some time as a body guard to the stars, Rosier suffered a period of serious ill-health, but is now recovered and enjoying an early retirement in Cool Springs, Tennessee. Zane Frazier Frazier was a practitioner of American Kempo Karate- the style studied by Elvis Presley under Ed Parker- and who supposedly secured his entrance to the UFC by beating controversial American ninjitsu practitioner and author Frank Dux in a ‘street fight’. Holder of several karate and kickboxing titles, Frazier fought intermittently in MMA until as late as 2008 and still teaches martial arts. According to Sports Illustrated, intends to compete once more in 2013. Art Jimmerson Jimmerson was the subject of considerable scorn for electing to wear a single boxing glove to protect his jabbing hand in his sole bout with Royce Gracie. Now regarded with some affection, “One Glove” tapped in the Brazilian’s mount as he simply didn’t know what to do to escape. The former Golden Gloves champion enjoyed a moderately successful boxing career- although his record plummeted quickly after UFC 1- and is now a boxing coach. He lobbied (unsuccessfully) for a rematch with Royce Gracie while training at the UFC gym in California in 2011.
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Telia Tuli The 415lb Hawaiian sumo wrestler’s MMA career lasted all of 26 seconds, but the sight of his teeth flying out of the cage and onto the commentator’s table in the first tournament fight of UFC 1 is forever etched in the memories of connoisseurs of the sport. Tuli went on to mentor future sumo star and MMA fighter Akebono, and has since emerged as an actor for film and television, including appearances in the reboot of Hawaii Five-O under the name of ‘Taylor Wily’. Gerard Gordeau Gordeau, the man who sent Tuli’s teeth into the crowd in that first match, was a Dutch karate champion and billed as a savateur. He had a short MMA career of just four fights, but secured himself an ignominious reputation which lives on to this day. Reaching the final against Royce Gracie, he managed to break one of the few rules of the time by- according to Gracie- attempting to bite him before he was finished by rear-naked-choke. Gordeau now teaches at his own Karate gym in The Hague where he has coached several K-1 and kickboxing competitors.
EVENTS
a HISTORY OF...
LEGEND OF THE MONTH
Pat Smith Smith went on to enjoy a decent career in kickboxing and MMA following his heel-hook loss to Ken Shamrock in the first round, and is probably most remembered for his brutal KO victory over Scott Morris at UFC 2. Smith’s martial arts background was in Karate and Tae Kwon Do and he last fought in 2009, losing a decision to fellow veteran Kevin Jordan. Ken Shamrock A true pioneer in the sport, Shamrock was one of the founders of Pancrase and would recover from his second round loss to Gracie to become the UFC Superfight Champion. He supplemented this with success in Japan to earn his status as “The World’s Most Dangerous Man”. He now makes a living doing media work for the likes of BAMMA, amongst others, although he still entertains the possibility of putting on the gloves one more time. Royce Gracie Royce Gracie’s tournament wins at UFCs 1, 2 and 4 saw possibly the greatest paradigm shift in the global perception of what is and is not effective in combat sport. For students of the martial arts, he ranks aside Bruce Lee as the most important figures of the 20th century. Just under 180lbs, and not especially athletic, Royce was far from the highest ranked of his illustrious family. Brother Rickson may be regarded as the greatest fighter of his generation, but the UFC was conceived to showcase the effectiveness of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu system of their father- the late Helio- and in that he succeeded beyond any expectations. Gracie Jiu Jitsu is now taught world-wide, and the tournament he first dominated is now a global brand. Gracie’s achievements were saluted by the UFC when he became the first fighter to be inducted into the hall of fame, along with his old rival, Ken Shamrock. He now travels the world tutoring many high profile students and teaching seminars.
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EVENTS
a HISTORY OF...
LEGEND OF THE MONTH
Freeman won the British Vale Tudo Title, again submitting two men on the same card
Freeman on his way to defeating former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez
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The Godfather of UKMMA being crowned The Legends Champion
EVENTS
a HISTORY OF...
LEGEND OF THE MONTH
LEGEND OF THE MONTH
IAN FREEMAN U
WRITTEN BY JORDEN CURRAN
PHOTO BY MMAPICS.COM
nlike the majority of modern day fighters whose interest and passion for the sport of MMA comes from their first viewing of the UFC, Ian Freeman’s motive for indulging mixed martial arts was sparked in the mid-80’s by a simple – no nonsense encounter on the streets where at 18-years-old, Freeman felt the need for a more rounded skill-set, and sought to compliment boxing with jiu jitsu. ‘The Machine’ went on a tear through 1999, finishing three opponents in the first round on June 27, at the British Grand Prix to earn his first crown. Two months later, Freeman won the British Vale Tudo Title, again submitting two men on the same card with each contest being over before a single minute had passed. Victory over UFC vet Travis Faulton (who today boasts an MMA record of over 300 fights and 250 wins) earned Freeman a passage to the UFC. In arguably the performance of his career, Sunderland’s Freeman became the first man to defeat former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir, in 2002 at UFC 38. At 35-years-old, Freeman took on an undefeated submission expert – twelve years his junior. With over £6000 invested in pre-fight preparation, Freeman bullied Mir from the outset with thumping punches on the feet, as well as on the ground where Mir’s submission attempts were frequently shrugged off. In front of a typically passionate and vocal British crowd at London’s Royal Albert Hall, ‘The Machine’ pushed Mir beyond his limits, and the exhausted American was unable to stand before the first round had even ended. Following his victory, Freeman’s family revealed that his Father had passed away just one day before UFC 38. An emotional situation that few people could imagine, Freeman’s Father didn’t want his son aware of his passing until after the fight, in order to maintain his son’s focus for one of his greatest career moments. Post UFC – Freeman continued to serve as a pioneer of the sport, and claimed the heavyweight title of memorable old school promotion Cage Rage, who themselves presented many of the sport’s best to the UK audience, including Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort, Antonio Silva, Paul Daley and Michael Bisping among many more. When Freeman’s career took a turn towards retirement, a seemingly rare occurrence took place with the veteran fighter’s wife being the one who convinced the pioneer that he was capable of more. At 47-years-old, ‘The Machine’ remains well oiled and ready for competition. Fighting out of his own academy Machine MMA & Fitness Centre, the British legend most recently defeated Brazilian icon Ricco Rodriguez by way of TKO in July of this year.
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS AND INTEREST STORIES
FEATURE
15
FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
CORY TAIT
SEMTEX BLASTS BACK
PAUL DALEY THE UK’S MOST EXPLOSIVE FIGHTer PREPARES TO MAKE JUNIOR KILLER HIS 34th victim
I’ve got a goal of where I want to get, I think BAMMA and the UK is going to help me get there.
D
WRITTEN BY JORDEN CURRAN
PHOTO BY GEORGE FAIRBAIRN
ominant upon his UKMMA return at Cage Warriors 57, British knockout artist Paul Daley is back on home soil at BAMMA 14, facing Brazil’s Romario Manoel da Silva. Having signed a 3-fight deal with the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts, Daley spoke exclusively with MMA Plus on his plans for the UK and more. “I’ve got a goal of where I want to get, I think BAMMA and the UK is going to help me get there. I want to be able to secure the UK fanbase and BAMMA’s on terrestrial television – freeview, it’s a big show, they’re doing arenas and celebrities are at the show. I think it’s a smart business move for me to sign with BAMMA than to fight elsewhere.” Less interested in championships, the former UFC welterweight takes inspiration from British boxers, hinting towards aspirations of elevating UKMMA by capturing the fanbase and market. He paints the image of a fighter serving as the face of domestic MMA, achieving significant prominence without relying on America’s MMA machine. “I never really chased the UFC, I think a lot of people are chasing the UFC and missing. Everyone’s trying to chase and be a star in America. Be a star in your own country, and then look for bigger opportunities same way the boxers do, like Hatton who didn’t leave the UK until his fight with Floyd Mayweather, they wanted him because he was a huge star in the UK. “I’m not really interested in the belt at present, I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I think the belt would mean more to Jimmy (Wallhead). I’ve fought for the belt twice already. My discipline at the time wasn’t where it should have been and I didn’t make weight for both those fights, but I beat Shirai which was for the belt, and I beat Radev. For me, I’m the BAMMA champion anyway. I’ve got no ambitions of fighting for the belt again, I think Jimmy wants it a lot so I’m happy to not be in the belt mix.” A cornerstone of British success since the early 90’s, Daley’s original home with Team Rough House produced a wealth of talent, including Dan Hardy, Jim Wallhead, Ross Pearson, Andre Winner, Nick Osipczak and Dean Amasinger. The origins of Rough House can be traced to a Nottingham cyber-cafe where two budding mixed martial artists were brought together by fate. Rough House originals Paul Daley and Matt Howell entered the cafe
Daley delivering the first of many knees to Lukasz Chiewicki at CWFC 57
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FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
as strangers, both searching for fights and taking note of an approaching tournament. The duo was formed that day, and success was destined. “At the first competition we went to we saw Dan Hardy, Dan was on an opposing team. That’s how we got in contact, the story’s long but that’s how we started training together and that’s how the original Rough House started. “We didn’t really have the knowledge of how to structure training sessions. In the original days our training sessions were just sparring. We’d laugh about who got hit the most, it was just fun. We all just happened to come together and were all talented.” Making his UFC debut in 2009, Daley impressed
CORY TAIT
with the destruction of established contender Martin Kampmann. Respectfully, ‘Semtex’ tipped his cap to thirty-one opponents worth of experience prior to the UFC. “The breakthrough is that I was fighting good guys, guys who might not have been world beaters at the time, but when they were on the scene they were big names and I was taking them on. The likes of Jean Silva – he went over to Pride, Dave Strasser who was in the UFC. I was fighting those guys in Cage Rage when I was 21. The fact that I had so much experience fighting tough guys is a reason why I broke through as such.” Since being cut from the UFC in 2010 for “suckerpunching” Josh Koscheck following
a frustrating defeat, fans and fighters have called for Daley’s return to the promotion, including the likes of UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones who was shouting support from ringside at Daley’s latest contest in Russia. Proud of what he accomplished in the UFC, Daley would gratefully accept the invitation to return however, the prospect isn’t something he’s invested in. “The more you focus on it, the less of a reality it’s going to be. I only had three fights in the UFC and still to this day I get stopped by people in the streets. That goes to show what sort of impact I had.”
Daley has a knockout ratio of 73%
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FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
CORY TAIT
I’m not really interested in the belt at present, I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I think the belt would mean more to Jimmy
PAUL DALEY NOTTINGHAM COUNTRY: ENGLAND NICKNAME: SEMTEX AGE: 30 HEIGHT: 175 CM / 5’9’ RECORD: 33-13-2 DIVISION: WELTERWEIGHT TEAM: SPIRIT DOJO
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FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
You lose your energy for working hard, and it’s done. You have nothing more. I needed to go back and see that this is my real life
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CORY TAIT
FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
CORY TAIT
AN EVENING WITH
ANDERSON silva THE G.O.A.T OF MMA SAT DOWN WITH MMAPLUS FOR AN EXCITING INTERVIEW
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WRITTEN BY LEWIS SMITH
PHOTO BY MARK BLUNDELL
fter almost seven years as a dominant champion, Anderson Silva faces the surreal prospect of entering a fight as the challenger. As the final weeks to his UFC 168 rematch with Chris Weidman countdown, the most feared fighter on the planet closes in on his unprecedented task of recapturing gold. 2013 is nearing its end, and the 38-year-old’s focus turns towards training to avenge his first ever knockout loss when he meets “The All-American” in the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 28. When reflecting on what it took to remain at the top for so long, he insists that consistent victories require more than work in the gym, and believes several factors must be in place at the right times. “You need a good gym for the good champion. You need a good heart and good friends to be a champion. My fault is I lost this because I have all the commitments for media and sponsors. You lost your energy to fight, not for champion, but to fight. You lose your energy for working hard, and it’s done. You have nothing more. I needed to go back and see that this is my real life.” Even though he laughs when he says “I’m back”, something in his voice suggests ‘The Spider’ has been driven towards a new level of determination. However, he often hints that the weight of gold he carried for so long became a serious burden. “The belt is a symbol, it’s nothing more. In my opinion, the belt is a symbol, but my fans and the people in my country do not understand this. My friends see, but the people don’t. “Come on Anderson, it’s the belt. We need you to pick up the belt.” Just as personal issues have reportedly plagued welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, Silva admits
THIS TALK OF MMA SUPER-FIGHTS IS PERFECT BULLSH*T
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FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
CORY TAIT
‘Minotauro’ to me, is the big legend
that the pressure of balancing everyday life with the gruelling routine of consecutive title defences took its toll. “My mentality was not good. I lost my control, and this is bad, you know? You think you’re faultless for training, faultless for your objectives, it’s a problem. “My mentality is very important because you train, you have the good coach, you have the good sparring, but you have a normal life. Sometimes you have problems in your normal life, and this is so important. You think you’re focussed for your training, think you’re focussed to listen to your coach, but you have problems in your normal life with your family. You’re not focused.” With Weidman’s pedigree in wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu remains high on the agenda in Silva’s camp. He’s now putting even more focus on the discipline in which he earned a black belt under world-renowned grappler, ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira.
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“I train jiu-jitsu, jiu-jitsu for a long time, but for me it’s a big responsibility because the people put me on the ground. I need them to be working hard for me so I can improve my jiu-jitsu. ‘Minotauro’, to me, is the big legend.” Silva - whose inspirations include his father, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, Michael Jordan, and the man he hopes to someday meet in the squared circle, Roy Jones Jr – dismisses the fading idea of his super fights, as teammates gun for Jon Jones, and St-Pierre remains at a clear size disadvantage. Still, Silva is often featured at the top of MMA’s pound-forpound rankings, but when it comes to giving his own vote, he somewhat surprisingly picks a Hawaiian veteran who’s primed to return and a surge up the featherweight ranks. “In my opinion, it’s BJ Penn, because he’s complete. He has good stand up, good jiu-jitsu and good wrestling.
I’m a big fan of BJ.” While Penn preps for his comeback, Silva hones in on a return of his own. The unlikely left hand that shattered his undefeated UFC record in July echoed in every corner of Brazil, but Silva ultimately views the knockout as a positive. “God gave him the new chance to change my life because I’m a perfect fighter now, because I lost via knockout for the first time in my life. I’m normal now. I have the best experience for inside the ring, inside the octagon.” Even though there’s a point left to prove, he still ponders how his name will be remembered. The fighter who’s capable of dismantling opponents with ferocious precision, shifts to his perplexing placid side that has bemused as many fans as it has engaged. “Anderson Silva is the fighter. Anderson Silva is the normal guy. Quiet Anderson Silva, Tired Anderson Silva. Normal.”
FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
CORY TAIT
You need a good gym for the good champion. You need a good heart and good friends to be a champion.
ANDERSON SILVA CURITIBA
COUNTRY: BRAZIL NICKNAME: THE SPIDER AGE: 38 HEIGHT: 187 CM / 6’2’ RECORD: 33-5 DIVISION: MIDDLEWEIGHT TEAM: black house 22
FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
CORY TAIT
Happiness motivates me, my quest to become a more complete fighter motivates, and at times even money motivates me
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FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
CORY TAIT
CORY TAIT INTRODUCING CAPCOM
THE FORMER 2-WEIGHT CHAMPION BRINGS his EXCITING BRAND OF MMA TO Cage warriors
WRITTEN BY JORDEN CURRAN
Who is Cory Tait? For those who don’t know, give us some insight into who is Cory Tait? Simply put, Cory Tait is the most exciting guy fighting out of London that isn’t currently signed to the UFC right now What was your first experience with martial arts/combat sports, and how did it become more than just a hobby for you? My first experience of martial arts was watching old school Kung-fu movies and funnily enough through watching kids shows like Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I used to mimic the moves I saw and my parents spotted I had a natural talent for martial arts, sent me to Taekwondo lessons and the rest is history. I studied Taekwondo for 13 years before my old coach passed away. What a lot of people don’t know is that you’ve been training in MMA for over a decade, tell us how that came about? I was lucky enough to meet my MMA coach Gintas when I was about 11. Gintas used to compete in combat sambo and was a national
PHOTO BY MARK BLUNDELL
champion. He took me under his wing as he saw something in me and he helped me to tap into my potential, and is helping me reach my full potential. What motivates you to compete? I ask myself that question everyday and to be honest my motivation changes from time to time. Happiness motivates me, my quest to become a more complete fighter motivates, and at times even money motivates me. Fame doesn’t really motivate me as in this day and age fame seems to be easily acquired, what with the internet, so that doesn’t really motivate me, but on the whole it’s general happiness and the quest not to be stuck in an office working for some person I don’t even like that motivates me. The birth of Capcom. Tell us how you got the name Capcom? Well Capcom is the name of a famous computer games company and I would regularly play their most popular game Street fighter with some of my friends. It turned out I was pretty good at it and one day they started calling me Capcom Cory and it stuck.
Happiness motivates me, my quest to become a more complete fighter motivates me
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FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
CORY TAIT
I would say my fighting style is pretty similar to that of Bruce Lee, I just flow when I fight. He (ANDERSON SILVA) was very impressed and replayed the finish back a number of times. For any gamers, who is your favorite Capcom character? I don’t have one favourite character, I have three, they are Akuma, Ryu and Ken, as they show what can happen to fighters. They show what happens when you are driven by ego, righteousness or fame and fortune. Ironically enough, given the type of game SF is, my actually fighting style is not too dissimilar from the exciting fights you see on the game itself. Martial Arts legend Bruce Lee famously gave during a now classic interview, his “Like Water” speech, which basically describes his style as formless and able to adapt to any environment it is placed in. How would you describe your fighting style and where does it come from? I would say my fighting style is pretty similar to that of Bruce Lee, I just flow when I fight. In a fight I try to keep loose in order to keep my opponent guessing. I could drill a certain thing 1000 times but who is to say what I am doing is going to work on my opponent. Don’t get me wrong, I have certain moves I like to throw but I try to keep loose and adaptable. Like Conor McGregor said recently; I like to stay ready so I just go with the flow and trust in my technique and wait for the right time to strike whether it be on the ground or standing. I learnt early in my career to be as adaptable as possible. “You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.”
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Your most famous win was your crescent kick KO of Dino Gambatesa at UCMMA 16, which ironically enough was repeated a few weeks later by P4P great Anderson Silva. You recently got to meet the great man, what did he think of your fight? Lol, he was very impressed and replayed the finish back a number of times. It’s strange because in the past a number of people have said I have a similar style to Anderson who also has a free flowing style, and is a man who can do everything, but despite his well-rounded game only seems to do the right thing at the right time. For me he personifies Bruce Lee’s “like water” quote, and I hope one day I can reach the heights he has in his career.
FEATURES
PAUL DALEY
ANDERSON SILVA
CORY TAIT
You will make your Cage Warriors return on their December 7th show. How excited are you to finally appear on one of Europe’s No.1 shows? It feels like a bit of a homecoming for me as I made my mixed martial arts debut as a lightweight at Cage Warriors 38, submitting John Brightwell by armbar. To me, making my return seems like acknowledgment of the progression I have made as a fighter and it seems the right time for me to make my return. I think I’m ranked lower than I should be in the ranking, being a two-weight champion, but now I have the chance to showcase my skills at a European level and prove the doubters wrong. You are now competing in a stacked division that is home to a host of top European names like James Brum, James Pennington, Ronnie Mann and of course current champion Brett Johns. Do you feel you’re ready for the step up in class? I think I’m ready. I am at the point at my career were I need to be tested and I believe the guys currently competing in Cage Warriors Bantamweight division provide me with the examination as a fighter that I need. What do you know about your CWFC 62 opponent Jordan Desborough? He’s a young up and comer like me, who seems to be on the right path like me career wise, but without being disrespectful I don’t think he’s ever faced a dynamic fighter like me. What does the future hold for Cory Tait? Cage Warriors bantamweight champion and then hopefully the UFC when the time is right. I’m not in a great rush but I believe I am trying with the right people in my quest to be the best.
CORY TAIT watford COUNTRY: ENGLAND NICKNAME: CAPCOM AGE: 25 HEIGHT: 170 CM / 5’7’ RECORD: 7-2 DIVISION: BATAMWEIGHT TEAM: GINTAS CSD
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STUFF
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EVENTS
REVIEW
PLUS GEAR
SMUGGLING DUDS
FIGHTING FOR GENERATION
smuggling duds your duds are in safe hands
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EVENTS
PLUS GEAR
SMUGGLING DUDS
FIGHTING FOR A
FIGHTING FOR GENERATION
generation GENERATION 20 YEARS OF THE ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP
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WRITTEN BY ROBERTO REID
e take a look at the story behind how the Ultimate Fighting Championship Became the unstoppable force it is today! I first watched the UFC during a period of working at a video rental shop. I’d throw on one of the UFC videos we had for rental, and every time a UFC tape wound up on the televisions throughout the store, a group of people who inevitably wind up glued to the screens. This circumstance spoke to the veracity of Dana White’s insistence that fighting speaks in some way to everyone, it’s a part of our instinctual behavior to one extent or another. It’s quite shocking actually, to watch footage from the first years of the UFC. The UFC was marketing itself on a “NO RULES!” gimmick, which not only drew fans, but also the ire of sports regulatory boards, various government agencies, and the media itself. The two-hour documentary FIGHTING FOR A GENERATION: 20 YEARS OF THE UFC, does a nice job of capturing the history of the world’s leading Mixed Martial Arts promotion. Par for the course on these sports-based documentaries, this one features quite a few talking heads discussing their involvement with the UFC, but one of the major drawing points is the incredible archive footage, adding immensely to the production. The first half of the program in particular provided a welcome trip down memory lane, and it’s kind of a shame that (in my mind) the UFC doesn’t really acknowledge this period of history as much as it maybe should. Old school wrestlers are venerated in many circles for instance, yet you rarely hear about many of the guys who helped put the UFC on the map in the old days. However, it’s always good to hear from Hall of Famers Mark Coleman and Royce Gracie, original promoter Art Davie, and even early play-by-play announcer Bruce Beck. It gives the program a compre-
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hensive feel that’s lacking from some documentaries. Immediately noticeable is how different the typical UFC fighter of 1993 compared to those of today. With sumo wrestlers, beefy-looking boxers, burly Russian wrestlers, and simple tough guys taking to the early octagon, the type of action featured was a mismatch of style and good old fashioned ass-whoopin. This notion was accentuated by the fact that some of these fighters really had no business in the ring. The show chronicles the “dark ages” of the promotion where more and more states and reporters found this “human cockfighting” distasteful, and the UFC needed a re-branding. Slowly but surely, the rules system evolved and the organization got a major boost in the mid-2000s when the Ultimate Fighter TV show made its debut. The UFC then took off, and the final 45 minutes covers the UFC’s efforts to get a major TV deal (which they secured in 2011). There’s an obvious motive to win over fans not familiar with MMA, and to provide a history lesson. As such, it’s done extremely well. At the same time, the focus leans towards hyping the “new UFC” i.e. from the point in which the Fertitta’s and Dana White took over. Though I was glad to see some focus on the early days, I could have stood to see a lot more. We’re left with a sort of self-gratifying final half hour in which White and the Fertitta’s pat themselves on the back for their accomplishments. When you really think about it, it’s pretty amazing how far the UFC has gone in just two decades of existence, considering it took the MLB, NFL, NASCAR, etc. decades to truly win over their fan bases. I might ask for some musical cues to accentuate important parts of the program, but I was left impressed by FIGHTING FOR A GENERATION. Although a vanity project to some extent, the show did a nice job of relating the UFC’s story, depicting how this sports juggernaut evolved over a short peroid of time.
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TECHNIQUES, EXCERCISE AND NUTRITIONAL ADVICE
PERFORMANCE
THE WINNING ATTITUDE
MATT walton walton WRITTEN BY MATT WALTON
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PHOTO BY JOE/TMT MMA
inning is much more than what happens on the night. Winning is much more than having your hand raised on the odd occasion. Winning is an attitude that is at the centre of everything we do. Winning is about creating a formula that we can understand, document, work through, build upon and replicate over and over again. A winning attitude should be applied to being a good father, a good husband, a good worker, a good coach, a good athlete. This focus then becomes habitual and central to our DNA, our make-up and our overall positive attitude to life, so when we walk in the gym we are already winning. How many people turn up at the gym late, say they are tired and then continue to talk during the warm up? We must aim to win at everything, to enable us to have a positive mental attitude that not only allows us to perform when things go well, but when the chips are down and when we are looking to climb our way back to the place we know we deserve to be. So is being a winner someone that never fails, someone who never experiences defeat, someone who is
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technically competent or someone who has an incredible IQ? Or is a winner someone who is prepared to push their potential, prepared to consciously edge their bets, someone who is prepared to have experiences that they can learn from and improve upon, someone who has their eyes fixed on the end goal, but is flexible, adaptable and confident to know that the path to the end goal changes with time, someone who always wants to better themselves? The myth is that winners always win and that winners are these super heroes who have been born with a natural gift. Winners aren’t the most naturally talented and not necessarily the most naturally gifted. Winners fail, but winners learn from their experiences. Winners see all experiences as fuel for the tank, ready to get to the next milestone. Winners understand that life brings with it hurdles and challenges, but these challenges are there for the taking. Winners strive for continuous improvement. So what’s all this about? It’s actually very simple. The training of the mind isn’t an afterthought. How many fighters or athletes do you know that in the gym or throughout the fight camp is unstoppable, but on the night they don’t perform or don’t perform to their full capability. Without understanding ourselves, how can we put goals and plans in place that are really aligned to our characteristics? How can we recognise our own strengths and weaknesses? How can we understand the things we need to say yes to in life and the things we need to say no to? This is the first article about winning attitudes and winning habits. My personal view is that with spending some time to understand yourself, this starts becoming the foundation for achievement and continuous improvement. So here is something to get your partner, wife, coach to ask you. If you know yourself you should just reel them straight off. • Name your 3 greatest qualities as a person. • Give a real life experience for each quality to support your answers • Name your 3 greatest qualities as a fighter. • Give a real life experience for each quality to support your answers.
PERFORMANCE
MATT WALTON
STRIKE LIKE
TECHNIQUE SCHOOL
CAPCOM 1
TECHNIQUE SCHOOL Everyone knows Cory Tait is one of the most exciting fighting in MMA right now, with the unorthodox style he uses often resulting in his opponent’s being KO’d. Lets take a look at one of his many impressive combinations that the man called Capcom uses gets the job done and which would not look out of place in a game of street fighter.
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With your right still raised protecting your chin, throw a straight left, followed by a right to the body.
Begin in a fighting stance with your chin tucked between you hands.
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Throw a left hook to your opponent’s head, in order to set up.
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A roundhouse kick followed two short lefts.
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Finish the combination with another A roundhouse kick
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BABES
BABE OF THE MONTH
INTERVIEW, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
BABE OF THE MONTH
BABE OF THE MONTH
SIERRA RENE Measurements: 34C-26-35 Weight: 117lbs, Age: 23 Years Old Ethnicity: Caucasian
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BABES BABES
BABE OF OF THE THE MONTH MONTH BABE
SIERRA RENE
SIERRA RENE INTERVIEW, QUETIONS AND ANSWERS WRITTEN BY ROBERTO REID
Born on March 27, 1990 and raised in Ohio, Sierra Rene, is a model known for her hourglass figure as well as her love for combat sports……
Hi Sierra , tell us how it feels to be the MMA PLUS babe of the month? It feels great! I originally come from a small town. To have known where I would be today in the Modeling industry would have made me laugh! I never thought that I would be so involved in the social media aspect of life. However, I worked very hard to be where I am today, and I am grateful for every opportunity that is presented to me :) You have tasted a decent amount of success. Can you tell us about some of the work you have done in the past? I was a World Finalist in both the Miss Swimsuit USA and the Miss Tropic Beauty competitions. This year I have been a Maxim Hometown Hotties Finalist, I was also on the cover of Planet Beach International and was the centerfold in the Miss Swimsuit USA Calendar.
Can you give us an insight into how you keep yourself in tip-top condition? Oh boy! People think I’m crazy, because I am on high-protein vegetarian diet. I always try to eat super clean in order to maintain my figure. As for working out, I LIVE at the gym. I love to lift, I love doing cardio and I love to kickbox 3-4 times a week. SO INTENSE! love it :) Can you describe yourself in three words? charismatic, down-toearth, FUN! What would you say your best attributes are? Well there are two. My eyes, and my bootayyyy. (built by the gym, can you say SQUATS ;)?!) Tell me a bit about what else you do outside of being a ring girl? I love going to karaoke with my friend’s, as well as watching my favorite sports team is the Los Angeles Lakers and I love to swim, so much in fact my first job was as a lifeguard. I just try to enjoy life really.
Do you have a favorite MMA fighter? I really liked Matt Hughes back in the day when UFC was really taking off. I’ve met him a few times; he resides in this area. Have you ever trained in MMA? I’ve kickboxed in the past which I like to think that makes me a badddddd MF ;) haha. I always thought about getting into MMA but haven’t to date in fear of busting up my face and ruining my modeling career lol. What can we expect from Sierra in the future? Nothing but GREATNESS! I love the feeling of success, so the game plan is to go until I’m satisfied. I want to make it big time, like Maxim magazine, or maybe as a ring girl for a huge organization :) Finally, do you have any words for our readers? I hope you guys enjoy the feature! You can subscribe to my facebook where I post all my modeling/ring girl pictures! Much love
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