Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

by Luke Thomas on Jan 2, 2008 4:32 PM EST in News

I never thought I'd see the day where a MMA fighter becomes the face of an animal rights campaign, but you have to get in where you fit in. To wit:

Ultimate Fighting champion Mac Danzig, best known as the winner of Spike TV's Ultimate Fighter 6, devours fighters not flesh. At 155 pounds of pure fighting fury, Danzig is tough enough in the ring, but when it comes to animal abuse, the 27-year-old Danzig--who is vegan--takes no prisoners.

Back before joining in the UFC, Mac did a Q&A with PETA. Now that he's a household name, Mac's back and we're pleased to announce that he's starring in two hard-hitting public service announcements for peta2's veggie testimonial series.

I always feel like PETA is just too preachy and far-reaching with their messages, particularly when they tie in environmental arguments. But I've heard from folks who've rolled with him that Mac is strong as an ox. How he's able to produce that sort of strength and performance without eating meat is truly a special feat. The rigors of the life of a professional MMA fighter are taxing enough. To be so disciplined such that you consume an all vegan diet throughout that difficult lifestyle is truly something special. As for me, I'll stick to the Ken Shamrock "chicken and steak" diet, even if that means heart disease and stroke. I love meat and I'll take the risks of eating it throughout my life. Danzig is a very interesting spokesperson for PETA, but it's not enough for me to lay down the steak knife.

0 recs | Comment 14 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

Mac's involvement with this PETA campaign is not only great for PETA but it also goes a long way for the UFC. As far as PETA is concerned, I completely agree, as would most other people, that they seem to repeatedly come off as preachy and usually go off the deep end. Being in the environmental law field, it quickly comes apparent that public interest groups seem to fall at one end of the spectrum or the other, either borderline extremists or realistic. PETA falls at the extremist end of the spectrum and are commonly used as the model for groups as what not to do. However, using someone like Mac as a spokesmen will help show that not all of the group members are animal loving, tree-huggin, bongo-playin, crazies. Someone may even be able to kick your ass. (or something like that)

As far as the UFC is concerned, it goes a long way for their image when fighters join meaningful causes. The work for the troops that Tito and Randy have both done is a perfect example.

Also, campaign's like this one as not necessarily meant to make to put down the steak knife (although I am sure they would more than welcome it). It is more aimed at exposing a wider audience to the issue, in the hopes that next time you will be more receptive rather than just dismiss it as another campaign by those crazies at PETA.

However, PETA has always been filled with a bunch of crazies so you never really know what they're up to.

by holden636 on Jan 2, 2008 5:17 PM EST 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

All good points, but let's back up a second here. Supporting the troops isn't nearly as marketable for the UFC as supporting PETA. PETA walks into the party with a whole lot of political baggage they may not want to touch. Then again, Jeff Monson openly endorses crackpot ideas and they seem to let that slide.

by Luke Thomas on Jan 2, 2008 5:24 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

If you're refering to Monson's political views as an anarchist, calling them "crackpot ideas" is pretty ill-informed. Anarchism is a valid and well-defined political philosophy; if anything, Monson's problem is that he doesn't always articulate it well. Danzig, on the other hand, is very articulate in support of a group that I'd say is far more "crackpot" than most anarchists that I know. Only goes to show that how a fighter says something in public is just as - if not more - important than what they are saying.

by AJB on Jan 2, 2008 7:36 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

Buddy, don't lecture me about Monson's ideas. For starters, I'm overly familiar with his beliefs as I've read or listened to all of the interviews he's given related to the subject matter. In short, his heart seems to be in the right place, but his view of the economic engine of the world is not one that I'd like our elected leaders to hold.

Second, I'm an avid philosophy reader and was a majored in it in college (and a top college too, not Bed Pan Tech). Philosophy is one of my first loves. That doesn't confer upon me special knowledge, but it does give me basic familiarity with the subject matter in addition to understanding how to synthesize. Before you call my beliefs "ill-informed" you'd be wise to do your homework, too.

by Luke Thomas on Jan 2, 2008 8:45 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

Woah, did I touch a nerve or something? I wasn't lecturing anyone on anything. All I did was point out that labelling a valid - if not always popular - standpoint as "crackpot" is pretty unfair, especially when put up against some of the views that PETA as a group espouses.

And I'm sure your credentials are very impressive. I don't see how they in any way alter the context of what you said.

by AJB on Jan 3, 2008 12:17 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

If you don't like the term "crack pot", can we agree on "completely untenable"? How about "woeful"? The word doesn't really matter. The value of the ideas - in this writer's opinion - are limited and I say that after consideration, not before.

by Luke Thomas on Jan 3, 2008 12:29 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

Yeah, I'm fine with that, as long as we can shift the "crackpot" label over to PETA while we're at it.

by AJB on Jan 3, 2008 12:54 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WERE YELLING ABOUT!!!!

by TitoG on Jan 3, 2008 2:29 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

I think we are in agreement here. You said "Supporting the troops isn't nearly as marketable for the UFC as supporting PETA." I am pretty sure you meant supporting the troops is "more marketable" for the UFC than supporting PETA. If that is the case, then I completely agree. I could not imagine the UFC wanting to get behind a cause such as PETA but I think that it indirectly looks better for them when their fighters campaign for causes with a little more substance to them rather than the generalized causes (e.g., supporting the troops, yellow ribbons, etc.).

Also, since when have anarchists not been viewed as "crackpots"?

P.S. - This conversation has gotten way too deep. Back on topic....how about that GSP? Damn!!

by holden636 on Jan 2, 2008 9:08 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

You're right. I completely got that backwards when I typed that out. As a former Marine, I don't think I'd ever say PETA was more marketable than the military in terms of positive PR.

by Luke Thomas on Jan 2, 2008 9:29 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

Does he still wear leather gloves

by WhiteyBarrington on Jan 3, 2008 8:16 AM EST 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

Damn that's a good point. He is wearing the UFC gloves in the ad. Someone should check on that.

by holden636 on Jan 3, 2008 2:28 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: Mac Danzig is Face of New PETA Campaign

Yup. Great point. According to the UFC Store:

UFC Official Fight Glove
The only glove tested and approved by the UFC and required in the Octagon for all UFC events. Features pre-curved fingers to reduce hand fatigue and an open palm design for maximum dexterity. Constructed from 100% genuine leather with fully adjustable wrist wrap for maximum support. Imported.

by holden636 on Jan 3, 2008 2:33 PM EST up 0 recs