UFC Facing Anti-MMA Backlash in Australia
by Kid Nate on Oct 20, 2009 1:01 PM EDT
in News
74 comments
Here is the kind of press "Ultimate Fighting" is getting in Australia's media:
Inside this ring there are no rules - elbows, knees, anything goes.
This is ultimate fighting and soon a well executed head butt splits one of the young brawlers above the eye sending a spray of blood into the front row of the crowd near my feet.
(Sound of crowd at a fight)
These gladiatorial contests are promoted by Shinji Ishihara - a former Yakuza godfather and a convicted killer. He once ran a rival gangster through with a samurai sword then watched the man bleed to death in front of him.
And I haven't even mentioned that most of the story is about child pornography. Yup, the Aussie press is linking "Ultimate Fighting" with every thing from Japanese organized crime to kiddie porn.
And just in time for the UFC's debut down under.
But never fear, at least one outlet has MMA's back, from Crikey Sports:
Next year, one of the biggest sporting organisations in the US is coming to Australia, and it's going to make a lot of people very angry.
It's the UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championships - the world's largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion - where the best fighters in the world battle it out for squillions of dollars, and millions around the world pay to watch on PPV.
MMA is already a favourite target of Australia's mainstream media, who trot out a lazy WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN!?! article every few months on a slow news day.
...But I didn't expect it to start so early. Yet here it is in last weekend's SMH: Cage rage coming here! ZOMG, lock up your children: cage rage is coming!
Before I delve any further into the article, a quick history lesson and clarifier:
The UFC is an organisation. Competitors in the UFC are doing Mixed Martial Arts. You may know it as "cage fighting", "ultimate fighting" or maybe even "no holds barred". But it is called Mixed Martial Arts.
He goes on to write a pretty fair history and introduction to the sport. Nice to see that the true fans are fighting back down under.
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I’m pretty sure Mick Dundee would support MMA.
by MMAInFeRioRiTy on Oct 20, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just looked him (Paul Hogan) up. He’s 70 now! He married his blonde Crocodile Dundee co-star in 1990, and they’re still together with one son. She’s 51. Good job, Mick!
by MMAInFeRioRiTy on Oct 20, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully more articles like the one written by crikeysports.com will emerge in the coming months to combat the ridiculous, uninformed, arbitrary attacks by mainstream Australian media. Samurai murders and child porn? Go write a fuckin mystery novel..
I STILL poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on Oct 20, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Or rather...
blogs.crikey.com.au
Yeah…
I STILL poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on Oct 20, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like something from Elmore Leonard’s Hollywood Quartet. I’d read it.
by nottheface on Oct 20, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shit yeah
I was serious.
I STILL poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on Oct 20, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem is that Crikey has a very small readership, it’s a subscription based internet-only news site, I’ve been a member for quite some time. I’m surprised about that article by the ABC though, they are our national broadcaster (taxpayer funded) and are usually pretty even-handed.
It will be interesting to see how the big newspapers play it, most of our big newspapers are run by Rupert Murdoch, and while he is far from a bastion of good journalism, Fox hasn’t been hostile to MMA in the US, as far as I know, and Foxtel (pretty much our only pay TV) shows the UFC PPVs. Fairfax have already played their hand with that awful article in SMH.
As far as the TV stations go, I suspect Channel 10 will be supportive, as they show UFC Wired and push towards the same sort of demographic as MMA. I suspect the other TV stations will bag it just because Channel 10 has it.
by brad23 on Oct 20, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cant wait to see the TodayTonight – A Current Affair slagging match they will have over this supject.
When one program takes the Pro stance, the other is guaranteed to take the Negative. It gets quite funny actually.
"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy
by Benicio on Oct 20, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That might actually be the first time i sit down and watch either of those programs. They are way too infuriating to watch and if and when they cover MMA i expect that to be the case even more so.
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Oct 20, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Will solve all of Austrailia’s problems.
by DirtyML on Oct 20, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't follow you on this one....
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Oct 21, 2009 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some of MMA’s problems with image is because it markets the very image they have to overcome. The name: Ultimate Fighting! It’s arena: a Cage! It’s history of having grown out of a basically no rules format. To the casual fan it’s not a chance to view different techniques and skillsets in a real world simulation. It’s the brutal KO, bloody beatdown, or choke out is the thing that draws them to the sport. It should come as no surprise that someone unfamiliar with it would view it as barbaric.
by nottheface on Oct 20, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Exactly, they need to dress up UFC fighters in suits, not skulls and cross bones.
for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.
by Bandaka on Oct 20, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interestingly enough, Lyoto's wife said becoming champion improved his wardrobe in public outings.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Oct 20, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yet another reason to respect Lyoto. He get’s it. I just wonder why more fighters on this side of the pond don’t try to dress the part. I remember the Dream rollout and alot of those guys were wearing suits too. Lyoto’s pop is Japanese, so maybe it’s something about how they carry themselves on the other side of the Pacific.
by Unak78 on Oct 20, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not as nice as the Sexy
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Oct 20, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
two thoughts on australia
first ads with everywhere else moms ruin everything
secondly are we as a community going t5o take this shit from a country that is literaly being overrun by…rabitts fucking rabbits look it up
by bearcox13 on Oct 20, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You’re really doing a lot for your country there by writing one of the stupidest fucking comments i have ever read on this site.
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Oct 20, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am glad you had time to comment on this between rabbit attacks. Good for you.
by szucconi on Oct 20, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Help!! They’re everywhere!!! I think one’s about to chew through my internet conne
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Oct 20, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you even Australian?
For shame.
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Oct 21, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hilarious
how can these people be considered journalists when it’s clear to anyone with a glimmer of knowledge of mma that they are making shit up..
by cagefightonacid on Oct 20, 2009 1:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Don't worry
Most people in Australia don’t consider them to be journalists either. :)
I finish beers at 1:55.
by ihateemo on Oct 20, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Almost Carbon Copies of what happened in the UK and Germany…
by mmalogic on Oct 20, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’ll be the same story in absolutely every new market. A local fighter will do a write-up with the standard myth-debunking info, the show will draw well, and nobody will care about the dime-a-dozen articles referencing human cockfighting.
"That feeling after you win and they raise your hand... it's like you have this energy that releases from your body, and it's like you mingle with the cosmos, and you feel omnipotent"
by woomikee on Oct 20, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It depends how loud and how much control the nuts have. In Germany, they managed to ban kids from the show after failing to ban the show all together.
by szucconi on Oct 20, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go Dan Hardy!
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Oct 20, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Almost Carbon Copies of what happened in the UK and Germany US…
by cyph on Oct 20, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well if its anything like other countries where this has happened, the UFC is probably gonna have a pretty succesful show in Australia
by IRodC on Oct 20, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know a lot of Aussies. They love to have fun, drink, party, not worry too bad about whatever. Journalists love to take the “high ground”. It’s soomething they learn in journalism school I think.
by Dooda on Oct 20, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
All this negative press won’t be an issue come fight night. Every Aussie I know genuinely has a good spirit about things and likes to have a good time. I’m sure the event will be a huge success despite all the haters.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on Oct 20, 2009 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They use stereotypes for MMA...
seems only fair. :)
"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK
by duck on Oct 20, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What else would he put up?
A can of Fosters?
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Oct 20, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A kangaroo holding a can of Foster's in one hand and a boomerang in the other?
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 20, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would have gone with Lord Humungus.
by nottheface on Oct 20, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A British guy with bad teeth in prison strips?
by szucconi on Oct 20, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nah
Kylie Minogue in booty shorts.
I finish beers at 1:55.
by ihateemo on Oct 20, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is an excellent idea
feel free to post samples.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Kid Nate on Oct 20, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Out of all the hot Aussie chicks you had to pick a 41 year old?
"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy
by Benicio on Oct 20, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um, older chicks who stay fit are so fucking hot.
a cougar = my fantasy
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Oct 20, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you kidding?
COUGARS F’N RULE!!
Especially if they look like THAT! hehee….
by BNTHIS on Oct 21, 2009 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You guys know that no one in Australia actually drinks Fosters right?
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Oct 20, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
World = shattered.
I will ignore you. Fosters, Australian for beer.
Also, I am kidding.
by szucconi on Oct 20, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd always heard that before.
What do you guys actually drink? One of my buddies is from Montreal and all he drinks is Molson.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Oct 20, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it depends on the state but i am pretty sure VB (Victoria Bitter) is the most popular Australian beer along with Carlton Draught and Tooheys New. In the past couple of years Pure Blonde (low carb beer) has really taken off. But wherever i go these days and hang out with people around my age (24) they all seem to drink Corona.
Not once in my life have i ever seen anyone drink Fosters or even anywhere where u can buy it. I’m pretty sure we export 95% of it.
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Oct 20, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Corona? That's kind of surprising..
I like Corona but Pacifico is the beer you need to drink from Mexico :)
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Oct 20, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Same Fosters fixation here in the UK
They think we have fosters in our veins.
Carlton Draught ftmfw
On a side note, Fosters the company do make/own alot of popular beers in australia, however they are not marketed as ‘Fosters beer’. They may even make VB!
Before I left Oz, euro beers like Stella Artois, Heineken and Becks, and Asian beer like Asahi were very popular.
Every good pub has Carlton on tap in Melbourne though
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Oct 21, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i couldn't resist
thought about the Crocodile Hunter but RIP, didn’t want to disrespect the dead.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Kid Nate on Oct 20, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Steve Irwin would have been a much better choice. Given that he use to train MMA.
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Oct 20, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Oct 20, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I like that he's training in his usual nature gear
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Oct 20, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was born wearing that gear.
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Oct 20, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
/Waiting on a photoshop of Aussie baby in fatigues
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Oct 20, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts exactly!
What about a pic of our boy George Sotiropolous
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Oct 21, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crikey sports
is kind of an awesome name for a news outlet, gotta say.
And I’m sure the fighters WISH they were fighting for a squintillion dollars.
by Trysdor on Oct 20, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Crikey Sports vs. Australia's Mainstream Media
Guys,
What are the distribution numbers in terms of readership? Which outlet has the bigger following?
Is Crikey Sports just a website or are they like an ABC/NBC/CBS?
Oh yeah, and … WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS!!?? LOLZER!
by JAYGK95 on Oct 20, 2009 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No, they are a small subscription based internet newspaper, unfortunately. That happens to do some of the best journalism in the country, sadly.
by brad23 on Oct 20, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looking at the big picture
yeah, this seems a little over-the-top, but we all know the connections between organized crime and combat sports is nothing new. Also, the connection between organized crime and pornography (in both legal and illegal forms) is nothing new. Stringing these elements all together may not be a totally honest representation, and works about as well as typical MMA Math, but they’re not completely off base. I think we saw the same crime connections being made in Toronto (or Montreal?) recently as well.
by rzor on Oct 20, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I cut a man in Shinjuku just to watch him die.
Sorry.
by Tizoc on Oct 20, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WKR with Elvis Sinosic
We talked to Elvis Sinosic after the first (Sunday Morning Herald) article and he was none too pleased…
http://www.watchkalibrun.com/2009/10/13/1084325/australian-mma-star-elvis-sinosic
The Jon Jones of Mixed Martial Arts Journalism
by E. Spencer Kyte on Oct 20, 2009 5:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Given the fact that the UFC faces anti-MMA backlash wherever it goes, i am sure they will know how to handle the situation. Plus they have nothing to worry about because this sport is massive here, massive!
Australians have always loved their sport to be rough and fairly violent, thus the UFC’s popularity is growing by the day. I don’t have any male friends around my age who aren’t even at least semi-hardcore fans.
This event will sell out so quickly! I can’t wait to get tickets.
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Oct 20, 2009 6:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Will be interesting to see the crowd.
Thinking it will be a 50/50 split between knowledgeable fight fans and drunken Bogan idiots. Not that those groups are mutually exclusive of course.
"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy
by Benicio on Oct 20, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeh that’s what i reckon it will be like. The split will sway as the night goes on though as a portion of the knowledgeable fight fans turn into drunken bogan idiots.
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Oct 20, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. I train with some very knowledgeable drunken bogan idiots myself.
"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy
by Benicio on Oct 20, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
...
There will probably be a pretty large ‘lad’ contingent as well.
Could be fun though, this might just be the only event in Sydney that isn’t heavily watered down with fruit loops wearing pink polos and tight jeans.
by moreofmyself on Oct 21, 2009 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Metrosexuals
Ruining Australia one tight pair of jeans at a time.
My canadian friend from BC had another name for them which was quite catchy, but it escapes me.
Ubern00ber could probably fill us in…
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Oct 21, 2009 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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