The Character of MMA Fighters
This is my blog so I will state my opinion here (you can comment and argue with if you want). every year I watch TUF and the same thing is seen in the house. This week it was Jesse Taylor drinking way too much and peeing on himself again. I think it is a shame that these guys portray themselves like they do. You can think what you want about drinking, but I think that not only should TUF be looking for new talent, but also should strive to display to the viewers what mixed martial arts is all about. Every season has shown the same thing: drunkeness, drunkeness and more drunkeness. Frankly, it ticks me off a bit. People like Jesse Taylor should have been sober and preparing for a fight. They should have more respect for property. That $20,000+ of damage that they senselessly caused could have gone to pay fighters, or better yet could have gone to some people in need around the world. What a waste. I just think that many times what we see on TUF is not indiciative of how an MMA fighter should act. Mixed martial arts has enough critics and enough people against it. Mixed martial arts has enough stigma to it, and the fighters already are stereo-typed by many as brutes and violent people. I think the UFC and other MMA organizations need to do better emphasising character of fighers. I am all for second chances and realize people mess up sometimes. I also understand not everyone has the same ideas and standards that I have, however there needs to be some punishment for people who act out outside of the octagon. If I was in charge of UFC rosters thugs like Rob Emerson and Jon Koppenhaver wouldn't fight in my organization, not because they cannot hack it in the octagon, but because they are poor representatives of the sport. For me, the one problem I have with watching MMA is the constant foul language from fighters and the emphasis on the party life. Go ahead disagree with me if you want, this is just my opinion. I love MMA and think that MMA fighters need more guys who are a postive example, a good role model, and someone that parents can feel confident letting their children look up to. MMA needs more Matt Hamills, Matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierres, Anderson Silvas, Randy Coutures, Kenny Florians and Wanderlei Silvas and less Matt Serras and Tito Ortizs. One thing I really love about many of the true mixed martial artists, especially your Brazilian and Japanese fighters is their love for fighting, their respect for their opponent, and their incredible sportsmanship (even in defeat). To them they are not just fighting it is a sport to them. Okay, enough of my soapbox. All I am saying is that if the UFC wants to market to people they will have to consider that not everyone lives a Vegas style life. All the cussing is an issue for some people, even with Dana White. Goodness, you listen to Dana White on SPIKE and you don't hear anything except a long "beep". Sometimes I get confused and think it is a warning fromt he emergency broadcast system and then I look and realize it is just the president of the UFC talking. Right or wrong, the character often (not always) displayed on TUF turns some people off, keeps parents from letting their kids watch and puts a bad taste in the mouths of some. I believe MMA fighters should go an extra step to show the world that they are not thugs with no restraint, but that they also have a little character.
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Good points
I agree with you and your points.
Tip Throw some paragraphs in there for us guys with blurry vision. It makes it a much easier read.
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"Life's tough, tougher if you're stupid."
by Brandon Jones on Jun 12, 2008 11:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The problem is that stuff like drinking, destruction and all around stupidity is what sells on TV. Explain why shows like JourneyMan are cancelled (a cerebral show with interesting storyline) and shows like Big Brother, The Bachelor (mind numbing, spirit crushing drivel) continue to get sequels.
The larger problem is with our society where the masses would rather watch shit than watch something that exercises their grey matter.
I don’t have a problem with White, to be honest I like that he speaks his mind. Often I don’t agree with his statements and a lot of his hyperbole but I at least know where he stands. For TUF he just plays to the show, I’ve seen him in interviews on ESPN, SportsCenter, TSN, etc where he has no problem talking without profanity, just on TUF it’s par for the course.
I don’t really understand some people’s problems with profanity really, perhaps it’s the way you were raised, also a North American byproduct because profanity is commonplace on TV in Europe.
by pr0cs on Jun 12, 2008 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Its obvious to me that the UFC provides the TUF house with so much alcohol because they want things like grown men pissing themselves for ratings sake. I forget where I read it, maybe Chuck Liddell’s book, but it was talking about Dana trying to sell the first season of TUF to networks and he said that the one episode he showed was someone drunk pissing in Leben’s(?) bed and something about smashing a door. Outrageous things like that attract viewers and thats a big goal for the UFC. I do agree that it portrays MMA fighters in a bad light. One thing I hate about interviews and post fight interviews is trash talk. I dont think theres any need for it in the sport. I also hate when guys make excuses for losing. Take the high road and say “So-and-so was a better fighter tonight and he caught me. I’ll train harder next time and be better.”
by WiltChamberlain on Jun 12, 2008 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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