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Originally Posted by drol
Rarely do I post but I felt the need to voice my opinion on this subject.
First, I have to say I was pretty disappointed to hear the news that EliteXC got their network television deal. I know some people looked at this as a good thing for the sport, however more exposure isnt always good exposure. As soon as I heard the news I just knew they were going to put Kimbo on their live debut. But you have to take into consideration the image Kimbo is going to portray to the entire nation. Kimbo is a street fighter turned pro, yet still looks and acts like a thug street fighter (when hes in the ring). I respect Kimbo since hes seriously trying to learn all the facets of mma, however he still fights like a street fighter.. fighting with pure emotion and adrenaline. If his last fight had aired live on tv network im betting there would have been a negative reaction from some media outlets. Watching the fight against Tank was a joke, it looked more like a circus. They had to stop the fight like twice just because of the crowd (which was more like a huge mob of Kimbo fans). Also, we all know Tank shouldnt even be fighting any more. I remember hearing he was pad like $125,000 for that fight, of course he was going to take it. He probably didnt even train as usual, there is no way in hell the UFC or any other organization would pay that much for a 40+ year old, out of shape, outdated fighter. Another thing I worry about, EliteXC keeps putting him up against these cans which is just setting them up for a brutal knockout. A lot of people probably find this entertaining, I dont. Now im not against knockouts but I am against watching a fight and just waiting for the poor guy to get canned. If you watched Guida vs. Huerta, Silva-Henderson or any of Bj Penns fights, then you know what a true exciting MMA fight is. Fights that have constant position changes, stand up, submission attempts... fights that could end up anywhere. These fights didnt happen because of any rules or penalties for not enough striking or action. Those fights created themselves, and they put on a show because thats true MMA.
Back to Kimbos fight with Tank, if they showed that fight, or that type of fight (which all Kimbo fights have been) on network television I believe will be hearing a lot of harsh criticism and debate. People are not going to want their kids watching that, and most non-mma fans will think its just down right brutal, and not a sport but a street brawl. This portrays the image that the UFC worked hard to pull away from.
This is purely hypothetical, but lets say the Kimbo-Tank fight was shown on live network tv. What do you think would have been the overall reaction from the public, and do you think there would have been any criticism from the media?
Then I hear Jeremy Lappen (the EliteXC fight cordinator) say that grapling is frowned upon, and that they have penalties for taking guys down over and over, and not striking constantly. I understand what they are trying to do, but its ruining the game. I just hope other organizations dont feel they have to start doing the same thing. This is eliminating one of the most important aspects of the game. There are certain MMA fans that dont even agree with them standing fights up at all, listen to Joe Rogan, he thinks they should leave them on the mat and if your getting controlled then to bad. I understand most new MMA fans dont like the lay and pray, and just want to watch a standup battle.. But thats not what MMA is, if you want to watch standup go watch boxing.
I still believe EliteXC has done some good things for the sport, creating competition and even some good fights. They seem to be treating their fighters well and recruiting new talent. However, they may be causing more harm for the sport than good.
What do you guys think?
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I agree 100%. The latest rumors I have heard from other threads is that they will feed Kimbo JT. eXc just seems to take the wrastlin angle with Kimbo. That's all fine and good except if you are going to represent a controversial sport on national TV for the first time. This fight or type of fight if it happens will give mma a bad name undoing the hard work done up to this point to get mma considered a real sport.
Scarier yet is that you consider that this is going down in an election year. In case you are not familiar with american politics, shutting down MMA would be the sort of cause that politicians love to use to distract voters from real issues that matter like the war, economy, and health care. If that isn't scary enough just remember that "human Cockfighting" MMA hater John Mcain is running for President for the Republicans just desperately looking for something to unite the Republican base behind him. Janet Jacksons boob worked well in the past. Kimbo and a crazed crowd knocking the snot out of another quick KO on National TV in a bloody spectical could do the trick too.
Lets also not forget that boxing would love nothing more than to get rid of mma and that boxing has deep pockets with boxing fans who don't understand mma in control of the government. Can you see the dominos lined up yet?
Atleast if Kimbo got to fight a comlete and relevant fighter we would have not a blood bath, but an actual competition that would be hard to play off as cockfighting. If instead we get 30 seconds of haymakers leading to blood and a KO with a crazed crowd throwing stuff in the ring and a ref that appears to have no control over the fight then "human cockfighting" indeed it will be. Then the sky is the limit.
Just remember that the general public won't do research. And these days neither will the media. Look at the Obama's reverend wright clips. It has been shown that the clips that the media has been playing were taken out of context and in fact quotes from ambasadors and Reagan staff members, but will the media state that. No. They already played the outrageous clips and know that those clips sell so they will continue to play them.
Do you think that if some grotesque display occurs thanks to eXc that the media will bother to point out that that is not real world class mma but instead just a rogue company making overmatched wrasslin matches in order to produce highlight reel 40 second fights. Definately not. All mma in the medias eyes will be tank vs. kimbo or whoever kimbo fights. It will once again be universally accepted that mma fighters are bar brawlers from MC gangs and street gangs.
Finally as for Kimbo I think he has a future as long as he continues to train. I have seen some of his interviews and training and he doesn't at all remind me of a thug, but you know what the media will portray him as. I know this will only be like his third fight and the argument is made that he should get easy fights. I dissagree because he is now a main eventer which means he needs top competition. I feel the UFC handled their freakshow right with Brock. If you are going to make a non-proven fighter on the main card you need to give them legit competition like how brock got mir. And know I wouldn't consider JT a legiit challenge, just a tailor made KO.