In Defense of Marcus Davis
by thetakeover on Mar 6, 2010 10:36 AM EST
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The above photo is currently on the first page when you type "Marcus Davis" into Google Images.
Davis is currently being put into the stockades and pelted with tomatos for a comment he tweeted on Twitter that pertained to the photoshopped image of him on the above cover.
It seems all of MMA fandom instantly leaped to consensus that Davis is a major douche. So I'm going to be the contrarian and argue that Davis is right.
When a fan asked if he wanted a rematch with Dan Hardy, Davis wrote:
I hope Hardy dies of aids.
Davis then deleted the tweet, and explained his momentary transgression:
Dark&Bad taste-thought it was fitting after he did the gay photos towards me which is worse IMO this was words those pics are up for life.
This has led to Davis being pilloried as a thin-skinned homophobe. There were endless links to the gay photoshops, and now Fightlinker is even running a contest asking fans to create more gay photoshops with the explicit goal of taking over his name on Google with them. To wit:
I think we need more gay pictures of Marcus Davis out there. Photoshop the best pictures of Marcus Davis being mega gay and win a shirt. The best three submissions win, and after that we’ll take all the entries and hurl them across the internet with the goal of making sure any time someone types ‘Marcus Davis’ into google, the gay pictures come up.
This may be defamation of character, and the fact that it is already working could make it easier to prove monetary damages.
First, let's examine what Davis did to Hardy: wishing he died from AIDS. Yes, it's in bad taste. But it falls into the "sticks and stones" category. Wishing doesn't make it so.
Unlike Frank Mir, who drew fire for wishing Brock Lesnar be the first person to die from Octagon-related injuries, Davis is not in a position to make his wish come true. He cannot in fact infect Hardy with AIDS the way Mir could cripple or kill Brock in a fight.
Really this is no different than wishing somebody die of cancer or get hit by a truck--again, in poor taste, but who among us hasn't had those dark thoughts?
On the other hand, putting up photoshopped pictures of Davis in gay situations does have the potential to materially impact his earning power. These pictures could lead those unaware of the "joke" to believe they are authentic or at the very least authorized by Davis.This could cost him sponsors. It also affects the mental well-being of his family, who must live with the images being in the public eye.
Davis may not have expressed himself well, but his underlying argument is correct: publicly distributing photoshopped pictures of someone in faked sexual situations is much more harmful than wishing death on Twitter.
I would add that the latter is Constitutionally protected speech--we all have the right to express opinions--whereas the former may not be: Knowingly distributing false information with malicious intent can be civilly prosecuted, especially if the target can prove monetary damages.
The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.
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Has anyone ever actually won a court case based off a picture that was photoshopped?
by ufc4 on Mar 6, 2010 10:57 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Not sure if it’s a settled area of law, but you can read more about the question here.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
Pretty lame on Davis’s part. He needs to get a sense of humor and fight fire with fire. Do you think Dan Hardy would be going crazy if he had been being the one photo-shopped? I don’t. Marcus needs to get creative and find some way to annoy Hardy (which I doubt could happen). Does hardy have a steady girl or wife? Maybe some photo-shopped pics of GSP and Hardy’s (girl, wife, mom). Get creative and learn to laugh Mr. Davis.
Maybe some photo-shopped pics of GSP and Hardy’s (girl, wife, mom).
Is this what it’s come to? Shouldn’t we expect a little more class from our athletes?
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
by thetakeover on Mar 6, 2010 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
There is only two ways to combat stupidity like Hardy’s mental games. Ignore it which obviously Davis can not do or to retaliate in turn and have fun with it. I do not condone it, but I do understand that is what Hardy thinks he has to do. I just think someone should turn it around on him and see if he can take it.
Is this what it’s come to? Shouldn’t we expect a little more class from our athletes?
Uh… didn’t you just write a post defending Marcus Davis for wishing AIDS on someone?
by JRN on Mar 6, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Actually, the post was about how a stray comment on Twitter is a much lesser offense that photoshopping pictures and distributing them on the internet. Including someone’s wife or mother in the scenario only makes it worse.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
I may be wishing death on you right now, and you wouldn’t know it because it woul;d have no impact on your life.
I could even wish death on you on Twitter, and you might never see it and even if you did, you wouldn’t care.
But if suddenly photoshopped pictures of your mom or girlfriend or wife showed up on the internet, you would know and you would be pissed. Trust me.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
David has himself to blame for the popularity of these pictures.
Yes people made a few gay jokes. It’s clear that Davis is both 1) humorless 2) not at all comfortable with his sexuality. The reason why these photoshops are even funny to begin with, Davis keeps adding fuel to the fire as if photoshop pictures are a big deal. There would be no problem had Davis not said anything.
The only reason why I found out about them was because Davis himself keeps bringing them as if his family will care about fake images. Instead he just keeps making it worse for himself.
Davis has to get it in his head… Hardy may have asked to get the photo shopped but he didn’t actually make these photos. MMA fans did, a lot of mma fans make hilarious photoshops of EVERYONE. How is Davis higher then every single fighter out there? Please.
(LOL at this:
Davis is not in a position to make his wish come true. He cannot in fact infect Hardy with AIDS.He might be able to now :P…)
AWmusic - mp3 blog.
http://twitter.com/awmusicblog
Reap what you sow.
Had Davis been tougher-minded, then he wouldn’t have gotten rattled by Hardy’s antics, perhaps won the fight, ignored the photoshop jobs, not wished AIDS on Hardy, and none of this would be an issue. I think this is funny – I love exploiting people’s homophobia.
New Orleans Saints - 2010 Super Bowl Champions. Unbelievable. Who Dat.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 6, 2010 1:49 PM EST reply actions
Is this “exploiting [Davis’] homophobia” or is it indulging in homophobic slurs “ironically” and acting as if Davis is the one with the problem?
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
by thetakeover on Mar 6, 2010 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
For the record, I really don’t give a damn about who someone likes to fuck, so long as they’re of age and it’s consensual. But if someone is so petty that they denigrate others for having different preferences, then I say have a field day with them. I’m not saying they have to like gay sex if they’re straight, but just accept that some people do at no harm to others. Once, to piss off a fundamentalist I knew, I began humping his leg. The homophobic rant that ensued was priceless.
New Orleans Saints - 2010 Super Bowl Champions. Unbelievable. Who Dat.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 6, 2010 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
I think its impossible to defend Davis about what he said. The whole incident with Hardy illustrated that he takes himself waaaay too seriously and he’s also a bad loser. He has fought since Hardy and has another fight coming up against Goulet and he still keeps talking about Hardy, he should accept that Hardy got into his head and make sure it never happens to him again
Compare this to Daley doing something similar for Koscheck on the ug, there has been nothing from Koscheck about it, clearly it doesn’t bother him as much as it did Davis
I've got a feeling it does bother Kos
he’s just choosing to handle it in the cage. I hope he gets knocked the frag out.
I'm the best ever. You're the most average in a minute.
And NEW UFC Welterweight Champion of the World.....Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy!
by slapjaw ackrite on Mar 7, 2010 5:06 PM EST up reply actions
I couldn't care less about this
tabreaz said - "Brock a national champion? Are u actually seriously saying brock is better than rogers due to him being a champion in a completely differant sport?"
Isn't Youtube fun?
Worse or not
That’s not the issue. The latest on this matter wasn’t whether it was as bad as what Mir said – it was about MMA and general machoism. Of which this is a prime example.
I don’t buy into the notion that Davis reacted like this because it could hurt him financially. All the talk from him has been about how this is unacceptable on a personal level?
A world without trash talking and photoshops is a world I don’t want to live in. The only interesting issue in all of this is that Davis keeps showing that he has huge holes in his mental game. Bravo to Dan Hardy for seeing that homosexuality and his Irish heritage were Davis’ weak spots and then exploiting them.
I’m cool with trash talking—love it, actually. I just don’t think it needs to descend to the level of schoolyard homophobic gay name calling, let alone making fake pictures of somebody. I’d much rather pugilists focus their trash talk on the sport, rather than opponent’s families and personal lives.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
It has nothing to do with the whole gay thing if you ask me. The point is that Marcus Davis said something bad about Dan Hardy and that was that, but what Dan Hardy did will keep coming up for as long as people are searching for Marcus Davis online. For instance, if Hardy have simply said that Davis was gay, then it would be even-steven, one insult for another regardless of what the specifics of the insult was. The difference is not the what the insult was, but that it was delivered in a manner that it will stay with him.
No the difference is what the insult was. Don’t dress it up like there isn’t a line. Davis crossed it, plain and simple and he looks the fool because of it.
What Dan Hardy did was perhaps a little childish but he was trying to be humorous and was just poking fun, what Davis said was not in the least bit humorous, and not in the least big appropriate. Wishing Dan Hardy to die of AIDS is indefensible.
I can see people giving him shit about the whole wishing to death part, but what’s getting way too much attention is the gay/homophobia aspect of it, and it’s ridiculous. Hopefully Davis is smart enough to capitalize on this and spin the shittalking in to a rematch with Hardy down the line. It would provide a nice jump in rankings for him, just like he did to Hardy. Was Davis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone is overreacting
I tell random people that I hope they die of AIDS every time they get lucky against me in poker. Doesn’t anyone have a sense of humor anymore? I guess most of you don’t watch South Park. Cartman wishes Kyle would die of AIDS at least once every season, he even fantasizes about it. Where is the outrage?
by Brian Hemminger on Mar 7, 2010 3:55 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Unless you can prove wish-fullfilment
Then not really.
by asa on Mar 7, 2010 8:34 PM EST up reply actions
You’re right. There has never been any outrage about South Park.
I'm the best ever. You're the most average in a minute.
And NEW UFC Welterweight Champion of the World.....Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy!
by slapjaw ackrite on Mar 8, 2010 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
On the other hand, putting up photoshopped pictures of Davis in gay situations does have the potential to materially impact his earning power. These pictures could lead those unaware of the “joke” to believe they are authentic or at the very least authorized by Davis.This could cost him sponsors. It also affects the mental well-being of his family, who must live with the images being in the public eye.
Nonsense. And all that hinges on homophobia and the prevalence discrimination anyway. It’s time Davis got over his obvious and virulent distaste for homosexuals and apologised.
by The Alabaster Trickster on Mar 7, 2010 9:52 AM EST reply actions
There is a reason Tom Cruise will sue anyone silly who implies he’s gay. It doesn’t matter what Marcus’ own feelings are vis a vis gay rights, the fact is, the general audience for fighting sports is homophobic and unlikely to support a fighter who is gay or even suspected to be secretly gay.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
by thetakeover on Mar 7, 2010 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
There is a reason Tom Cruise will sue anyone silly who implies he’s gay.
He’s a humorless SOB?
New Orleans Saints - 2010 Super Bowl Champions. Unbelievable. Who Dat.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 7, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
Possibly, but I’d be interested to see some evidence for that?
by The Alabaster Trickster on Mar 7, 2010 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
For the record, Josh Koscheck is taking an epic photoshop beating on the UG via a Paul Daley instigated thread. He might have even passed Tito Ortiz as the most photoshopped fighter ever.
http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=forum_framed.posts&forum=1&thread=1595295&page=1&pc=1142
Unlike that thin skinned Nancy boy Davis, Kos has seen the ‘shops and thinks they are funny. That is why Kos’ photoshops will all die down after his fight with Semtex is over while Davis’ photoshops will continue to haunt him.
Yep
laugh, and the world laughs with you. Cry, and I’ll give you something to cry about you little bastard.
You'd have to be incredibly obtuse to believe this
These pictures could lead those unaware of the “joke” to believe they are authentic or at the very least authorized by Davis.
What makes it funny for me is the fact that Marcus Davis most definitely IS a homophobe:
http://marcusdavis.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=102&page=1
Why I dislike HOMO"S
You know what- If you’re a gay guy- fine- just don’t push it on me- Literally.
Don’t want to know anything about you or your life style because it is wrong and you will not EVER convince me that god is OK with you poking some dude in the turd pipe.
Is that confirmed to be Davis? Because if so…wowowowowowow.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
by Mike Fagan on Mar 7, 2010 11:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He claims have religious reasons why he’s against it, yet he forgets to capitalize “God”. I guess he is faux-Irish.
New Orleans Saints - 2010 Super Bowl Champions. Unbelievable. Who Dat.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 8, 2010 1:21 AM EST up reply actions
Wow, he really is a terrible bigot. I used to like the chap as well.
Maybe he also forgot that God incinerated 250 men for offering him incense. I guess Marcus is probably not too keen on the nag champa either!
by The Alabaster Trickster on Mar 8, 2010 6:59 AM EST up reply actions
The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible FTW!!!
New Orleans Saints - 2010 Super Bowl Champions. Unbelievable. Who Dat.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 8, 2010 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
Did you really imply that questioning someone’s sexuality might be defaming their character? Honestly?
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
Not that it could ever be proven but if Marcus Davis was to lose income based on being portrayed as a homosexual, wouldn’t that count as defamation of character?
No. For starters, as far as I know, Hardy hasn’t straight up stated he believes Davis is gay. Even if he has, that’s a very tenuous line to claim defamation.
If Hardy said he knows Davis has AIDS and promoters shouldn’t sign him, we have much better case.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
by Mike Fagan on Mar 8, 2010 12:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No sponsor would drop Davis over a few silly photoshop'd pics on the internet.
I’m not surprised if several drop him for the stir created by this AIDS comment.
There’s no case against Hardy for defamation or lost wages. There’s likely to be a great case Davis for shooting himself in the foot. It will be interesting to see what, if any, logos change on his banner between his last fight and his next one.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I agree no sponsor what drop him over that. Unless that sponsor was Holzer reich, haha.
I tend to think Davis was most angry about the possibility of this photoshop ballyhoo causing his fanbase to shrink and then losing potential earnings as a result of lower drawing power… but his silly retaliation didn’t help either.
No sponsor would drop Davis over a few silly photoshop’d pics on the internet.</blockquote.
Stranger things have happened.
Erin Toughill has has lost fights due to internet rumors about her weight. She has talked to promoters who have admitted they didn’t offer her fights because they didn’t think she could make weight … all based on message board chatter.
by Steve4192 on Mar 8, 2010 7:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
quote fail
The first line is pdl’s quote.
The rest is me.
To be clear ...
I’m not advocating a lawsuit or anything, and I think most of what was done would ultimately be covered by parody and fair comment laws.
My main point was just to say that there is a difference between saying something stupid on Twitter vs. encouraging or spreading photoshopped pictures of someone in sexual situations. Not to say Hardy did this—I’m more talking about how certain segments of the MMA community have reacted.
Davis is paying a heavy price, much of it self-inflicted by directing attention to something he didn’t want people to see. But I don’t think people should be photoshopping fighters into sexual situations, for the same reason that I think Bloody Elbow’s “no fighter bashing” rule is a good idea.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
encouraging or spreading photoshopped pictures of someone in sexual situations
Hardy encouraged the photoshop contest, but the whole homoerotic thing happened on it’s own. Probably because someone picked up on Davis’ homophobic leanings and figured (correctly) it would get under his skin. The vast majority of the ’shops in the contest were not of a homoerotic nature … until Davis bitched about the gay ones in an interview … and that sparked a tidal wave of new photoshops that were all gay in nature.
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