A rant about training partners fighting each other.

by itsallgood013 on Jan 20, 2009 7:50 PM EST

Earlier today I had brought up the possibility of a future UFC event taking place in Minnesota with Brock Lesnar fighting for the HW title in Minnesota... (But that's another story for another day) I had created a dream card of sorts with Josh Koscheck fighting Jon Fitch in a somewhat co-main event. Somehow in my immense knowledge of MMA, I had forgotten that they train together at the American Kickboxing Academy. And boy, do i regret it... All I heard was "they train together, idiot" "Are you retarded? Kos and Fitch are training partners!"

Now, this got me to thinking... Why in the hell is it such a big deal for training partners to fight each other. What better way to test your abilities than by fighting someone who knows your every move. I would think that it would be a great way for you to see if you can out-gameplan someone who knows your weaknesses. I don't know, maybe they don't want to let their friendship get in the way of fighting each other, they won't want to hurt each other. But don't most fighters say that it isn't personal when they fight, they're just doing their job. And most fights almost ALWAYS end with the fighters hugging.

Besides, in today's MMA game, most fighters see each other at pretty much every UFC event, I'm sure they get to know each other well. I'm sure if Kos were to fight Fitch, Greg Jackson, or the people at Xtreme Couture would be more than happy to help one of them out. All I know is that, if I had to fight one of my friends for 3 rounds in a cage to make some money, and put food on my table... I'd ask if we could do it the next day.

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Not only do you have two top welterweights refusing to fight each other, Swick who also trains with Kos and Fitch is slowing working his way up the welterweight rankings and refuses to fight them.

It will be interesting to watch how this all plays out. By the end of 09’, I think Swick, Fitch and Kos will all be top 5 in their division. Dana will not tolerate them not fighting each other and will probably cut one of the three after a loss. I see Fitch being cut first since Kos and Swick are a bigger and draw and more exciting.

by steveoc24 on Jan 20, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply actions

It’s very trendy right now to be training partners with other big time names. Still, I tend to believe a few the trainers out there who say the fighters actually work harder and get better when they aren’t out practicing with their friends. I’m sure this trend will end some day, hopefully sooner than later. A bump in pay would help. Right now it’s probably economical.

by bignerd on Jan 20, 2009 10:00 PM EST reply actions

agreed.

jackson camp in LHW
if Jardine beats Rampage (BIG IF agreed) is he going to fight Evans next?
or how about d. sanchez leaving Team Jackson when SGP came across (rumour was he didn’t want to have to fight a fellow team mate for the title) and now he’s dropping divisions anyway.

the list is endless and in a way i dig that guys dont want to fight friends and in another way i wish everybody could just say – lets make some money and find out actually who is better.

where will it end?

by Ronnie Liddle on Jan 21, 2009 3:03 AM EST reply actions

Jackson was asked about this.

I am not going to try to find the interview but Jackson was asked about the possibility of Jardine fighting Evans. Jackson basically made a vague statement that if Jardine wished to fight for a title he could switch weight classes or “there are things they could do”. If these team members won’t fight each other then I guess the only solution would be to fight at a different weight or leave the team. The possibility of Jardine leaving the team so he can fight Evans for the title seems silly to me. At this point these guys are more than just team members. Especially with Jackson’s team, these fighters seem to have become brothers to each other. Would leaving the team really dissolve this bond. The question becomes, Is the bond you have with your teammates stronger than your desire to be the champ and further your career?

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on Jan 21, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions

Screw the “bond” they have with their teammates… Most of the guys that train with Jackson’s or most other places came from somewhere else first. It shouldn’t hurt them to go train with another team for one fight. Like I said, Xtreme Couture seems to be bringing in a lot of top-level guys, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind one more.

by itsallgood013 on Jan 21, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply actions