Features

  For many years the heavyweight division has been the most maligned in the sport of MMA in respect of the quality of its fighters. Compared to other classes many of its contenders have appeared all too predictable, one-dimensional and in some cases decidedly out of shape. While it still has some way to go to reach the depth of say the 205Ibs weight class -...

  The last instalment of the UFC, Relentless, hit home the importance of playing to your strengths in mixed martial arts.While fighters should always strive to be as well-rounded as possible, it's the bread and better skill - the style which comes most naturally - that seldom lets you down. NCAA All-American wrestler and MMA journeyman Chael Sonnen executed his...

 The 1988 cult martial arts flick ‘Bloodsport' has long been a guilty pleasure for fight fans. Said to be based on the true events of Frank Dux - played by Jean-Claude Van Damme - the film was for many an introduction to the notion of mixed martial arts.Bloodsport showcases the story of American Dux who participates in an underground mixed martial arts...

 Although mainstream mixed martial arts is usually thought of as starting with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, one of the most famous (or infamous) MMA matches in history took place more than 15 years earlier and involved none other than Muhammed Ali. In 1976 "The Greatest" was in his second reign as world heavyweight champion. In the...

 I was about 16 or so and was wandering the isles of HMV in Plymouth. The words ‘There are no rules' plastered across a particular video caught my attention. Picking it out I took a look at the back of the case. Splashed across were images of blood coming from men's heads and a long, long list of injuries that occurred at this event which was apparently...

 The fighter they call ‘The Fireball Kid' is the latest high-profile foreign MMA star to put pen to paper with the UFC.Japan's Takanori Gomi is hugely popular in his homeland and for much of his career has been heralded as one of the top two or three lightweight/welterweight fighters in the world.His resume is certainly one of the best in the business. A...

 The current UFC title holders - Penn, St. Pierre, Silva, Machida and Lesnar - were obviously all dominant in 2009.Each raised the bar to an incredibly high level and many would put good money on them all keeping their belts throughout 2010.However, as we start the next year of fighting each face very different challenges - some not just against other fighters...

 UFC fans will get their first glimpse of Gilbert Yvel - the fighter they call "The Hurricane" - on Saturday at UFC 108.The newly-signed heavyweight maverick squares off against Brazilian heavyweight contender Junior Dos Santos in a match that is likely to produce fireworks. With the veteran Dutch striker literally anything can happen. It could be a...

  Another year and another bevy of classic matches in the octagon to  reflect on. For my money these were the standout performances in each of the weight classes.  Lightweight: BJ Penn versus Diego Sanchez – UFC 107 Due to the obligatory question marks over BJ Penn’s stamina – Diego Sanchez was thought by some to have a...

Despite fighting only one match in his entire career (which lasted little over three minutes) Fred Ettish is perhaps the most maligned fighter in MMA history. His sole showing, as an alternate in UFC 2, in 1994, when he lost via naked choke to Johnny Rhodes spawned a wild fire of internet mockery and hate that has yet to end. In fact, not a day passes without his...