Video: Vladimir Putin Booed at Fedor vs. Monson
by Fraser Coffeen on Nov 26, 2011 1:00 PM EST
in MMA News
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MMA is finding itself in the middle of a fascinating international political story, courtesy of M-1 Global and the recent Fedor Emelianenko vs. Jeff Monson fight. At that event, Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was in attendance, and shown in the audience throughout the show. After Fedor was victorious in the main event, Putin entered the ring to congratulate him and say a few words to the audience in Moscow. And the Russian fans booed him.
The boos alone are notable as Putin is expected to cruise to another term as Russian Prime Minister in the March 2012 elections. This kind of mass demonstration of displeasure with Putin is not common in Russia. But it's the aftermath of the show where things get really interesting.
The show aired live on TV in Russia, but in all subsequent replays, the post-fight booing was edited out. However, footage immediately surfaced on YouTube that confirmed Putin being booed. When news of the boos began to leak, Putin's office released a statement indicating that while there were indeed boos while Putin was in the ring, they were actually directed at Fedor's opponent Jeff Monson, not at Putin himself.
Russian fans were outraged at this accusation, and, in a powerful show of viral politics, took to Monson's Facebook wall to post thousands of messages showing their support for Monson and stating emphatically that they were not booing the American - they were booing Putin. Much of the anger stems from the idea that Putin would claim the fans were booing a man who came and fought honorably, when in fact the fans have shown their appreciation for Monson for coming to Russia to challenge Fedor.
The story has been picked up by major international new outlets, including the BBC, The Moscow Times, and countless others. It's a fascinating story, and a rare moment when our sport is at the center of such a big issue.
Watch video of Putin being booed in the ring:
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Andrew Sullivan picked this up a few days back:
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/11/booing-the-tsar.html
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/11/booing-the-tsar-ctd.html
@scb0212
The Machiavellian.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Nov 26, 2011 1:04 PM EST reply actions
Uh, no, they're saying "Poo-tin, Poo-tin"
"You've got Floyd Mayweather making $25 million. He can't stop a double-leg..." Nick Diaz.
Twitter - @pud333 Follow me and I shall lead you to the promised land!
by pud333 on Nov 26, 2011 1:08 PM EST reply actions 8 recs
BOOO-URNS!
Follow me on Twitter or Phil Davis will say you did all you could! @BVandDietPepsi
by BVandDietPepsi on Nov 26, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Putin is hilarious..
This is just one of the few zany ways he controls his image. It’s amazing how social media makes all that KGB shit just that much harder to do.
It's just a world, it's just a life.
He’s basically the President as Prime Minister and will be the Prime Minister as President soon as well.
He has a lapdop for a President who probably has a batphone that only Putin calls to tell him what to do.
It's just a world, it's just a life.
Exactly, Dmitri Medvedev is the President and he takes orders from Putin, but in theory has more power. Putin stopped being president because the constitution only allows two terms in a row, and he’ll retake the position when he’s eligible again.
"He's like Elvis in Korea! They love him there." - Mike Goldberg on Denis Kang
I always though it was strange how he was able to keep his popularity so high, but extreme levels of propaganda is how Russian society works even in post communist times.
Not that the good ol USA is immune to a little propaganda….
http://fistonchin.com http://brightlightssports.com
John McCain looked into his eyes and saw three letters…
"If I wanted to spend a half hour between two hairy legs I'd go to your mother's house." -Don Frye
by mburtoni on Nov 26, 2011 1:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
UFC?
YOU CAN ENTER BUT YOU WILL LEAVE WITH OUT A SOUL - Abayarde
by Andy Anderson on Nov 26, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
123, baby you and me?
Share for share, share alike, you'll get struck each time I strike.
by gzl5000 on Nov 26, 2011 3:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I like ike
"You got Floyd Mayweather making 25 million dollars...he can't stop the double leg." - Nick Diaz
putins a bad motherfucker
i’d probably be too scared to boo him
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
by milk72 on Nov 26, 2011 1:46 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
In Soviet Russia, President Boo You!
aka BuckeyedBear34
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte
To have a Cannae you must have a Varo
-George Patton
who? this guy?
seems like a Teddy Bear to me
aka BuckeyedBear34
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte
To have a Cannae you must have a Varo
-George Patton
Ex-KGB agent, legit judo black belt.
He trains with the Russian national team sometimes. He holds even more power than Obama does in America. Yet i can’t imagine Obama congratulating Dan Henderson (first guy I thought off) after a fight. That would be cool :D
yeah well
the U.S. has an ebb and flow of executive power. since the Cold War executive power has steady increased in the U.S. but it has remained in the realm of the checks and balances.
Putin is literally changing the Russia government to suit his ambition
aka BuckeyedBear34
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte
To have a Cannae you must have a Varo
-George Patton
"But the attempt to suggest that the crowd had booed a respected sporting opponent rather than the prime minister clearly touched a chord with thousands of ordinary people."
We just got the BBC to admit that MMA fighters are “respected sportsmen”. Zing!
by Dick Chaser on Nov 26, 2011 2:06 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
In the words of Joe Rogan
you can’t stop the internet
Now I've switched signature to this one.
by the guy with the big nose on Nov 26, 2011 3:32 PM EST reply actions
Politicians everywhere get booed all the time
usually doesn’t get covered though. god bless social media.
by Armleglegarm Head on Nov 26, 2011 5:50 PM EST reply actions
that was a disgusting comment from putin's press-secretary
the point is that millions of russians watched it in live on tv and all knows that 22000 booed putin and then booed pop stars too who invaded the ring after the fight.. Monson was wellcomed warmly before and after the fight.
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