Fighters Touching Gloves? A Weakness? - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

MTKrav911 · 05-15-2007, 06:56 PM

I've been thinking about this for a long time. Is it a sign of weakness when a fighter reaches out and touches gloves before the fight?

I know the refferees make you touch em up, I mean after the two fighters are already clear to go, and one fighter extends his arm out before they both start to bang?

I've kinda noticed that the guy who offers his arm out to touch first is usually the under-dog, and also appears afraid. I know it's a classy thing to do, but i also believe in a fight as a fighter, you should never give even the slightest hint of weakness or fear, even if you're just trying to be a good sport.

When's the last time you've seen for example, The Iceman reach out first to touch gloves? Never! Because usually dudes he fights are afraid of him.

So the question goes, do you think Fighters offering to touch gloves is a sign of fear/weakness?????

Toshinden · 05-15-2007, 07:15 PM

I see what you're getting at, but I disagree with most of what you said. Touching gloves isn't a sign of fear/weakness, it's simply one last show of respect for the person you're fighting.

Touching gloves lets the opponent and the audience know that the fighter isn't just in there to mess a guy up and get a win, or to maintain some form of intimidation that might've taken place beforehand. In most cases, the person who extends their arm first reassures the other guy that it's a fight, it's his job to try and win, but he's willing to accept either outcome simply because he respects his opponent and the sport, and he hopes that the other guy will do the same.

RockemSockem · 05-15-2007, 08:10 PM

I'm sure there have been cases where your point is correct, but i'd say it's a rarity. Respect and honor are among the most important aspects of martial arts, and many of it's pracitioners will show that anytime it can be applied.

Corey · 05-15-2007, 08:20 PM

I have to disagree with you Krav. Its just them showing respect to one another. Part of being a proffesional fighter is showing respect to your opponents, no matter who they are. None of them want to seriously injure eachother (with exceptions), they just want to go out and put on a good show. You'll find alot of them buying eachother drinks after.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 05-15-2007, 08:21 PM

i see your point krav.... generally i think you can make a good case for your points

MTKrav911 · 05-15-2007, 08:25 PM

I guess I set off my points wrong, i agree with the touch of gloves, and I totally agree that it's an ultmate show of respect and martial arts warrior spirit.

But I guess it's this strange weird feeling I have sometimes with some fights where it seems the guy offering the touch of gloves first, is the guy that knows he's the fighter at a disadvantage.

On occasion though, BOTH fighters offer a touch of glove simultaneously, and that's when you know for sure.......ITS ON! Two equally matched fighters who are gonna bang.

It'll be interesting when I'm at UFC 71, who's gonna reach out first between Chuck and Rampage!

lwbfl · 05-15-2007, 08:30 PM

Another reason is it gives the public who are watching the feeling that these guys/gals are just competing instead of "they hate and wanna kill each other". MMA is slowly gaining acceptance, but we need all the good imaging we can give still!

FEC4 · 05-15-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

I've kinda noticed that the guy who offers his arm out to touch first is usually the under-dog

thats because maybe he wants to show respect, show that if he wins, he not an a$$hole like Marvin, who didn't want ot and ended up losing.

xVERITASx · 05-16-2007, 12:11 AM

In all reality it has nothing to do with how good of a fighter you are I think. It is just something you really pick up, when I use to box my coach always wanted me to touch gloves at the start of the fight for respect, so I think it is what they have been told personally and even if they changed camps it probably just stuck.

riversideblues · 05-16-2007, 12:40 AM

gsp is almost always walks out with his hand out from his corner, i don't care what universe you're from, that boy ain't weak.

so i totally disagree

IrishRage · 05-16-2007, 12:53 AM

Touching of the gloves should be and Is up to the guys who are about to face off , some guys won't just so Joe rogan yells " ohhh I sense bad blood" and the PPV viewers accutally believe there is nothing but pure hate . Most class fighters realize this fight is not over War or land Its two Althetes facing each other In MMA and most fighters have nothing but respect for each other because they know what kind of crazy workout they went through that last 6 weeks . Comes down to Cultures aswell Asians tend to show respect before and after Fights , and then take for example Fedor and his brother have nothing but respect but almost refuse to make eye contact until the fight begins , some love the stare downs others find them silly all I care about is the fight and the outcome .

AikaImmortal · 05-16-2007, 01:04 AM

No, its a sign of mutual respect and that they know its a sport and arent going out there to tear each others heads off.

MillerLite · 05-16-2007, 01:48 AM

I think that touching gloves, like others already pointed out, shows mutual respect for each other. Besides that, I myself found that touching gloves, or in other situations (not in a ring) if a guy first reached out and try to touch gloves, or hands, or bow, it signifies his confidence. He is relaxed, he knows he's going to come out on top, winning the fight, so he in a way, showing respect for the "downed, or soon to be defeated opponent", in a understanding and respective way. My point is that, watch out for the ones who does not mind reaching out first to touch gloves, they are full of confidence going into the fight, majority of the time.
To explain this a bit further, when I was younger, we had what you would now aday called "fight club" in our neighborhood. My older brother would gather a big group in the back of a church or some big building, and would randomly pick out any 2 evenly sized guys, and they would fight for the heck of it, eventhough we all knew each other and were friends. Normally, everytime I sized up a guy, and knew I would end up winning I wouldn't mind to be the first guy to shake hand, and help him up after. But sometimes I would face a guy who I knew were stronger, would beat my a.. I would be more timid, and let him make the first moves. I guess it's just natural reaction to a person's mind and thinking, or someone else could correct me if I am wrong.

Nimmy · 05-16-2007, 02:35 AM

anyone remember evan tanner offering the touch then immediatly punching straight off it?

Shoney · 05-16-2007, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimmy

anyone remember evan tanner offering the touch then immediatly punching straight off it?

I was just going to ask if a person has reached out and immediately got smacked. I've never seen this happen,but I'm sure some of you have seen examples of this, whether it was in the UFC or elsewhere.

AikaImmortal · 05-16-2007, 08:16 AM

Sorry bro.. but you asked for it. No harm intended, just giving you a hard time.

Bomber · 05-16-2007, 08:36 AM

LOL! Everyone's hassling the Hoff these days. Krav has a special talent for one-star threads.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 05-16-2007, 08:52 AM

i think krav makes some reasonable points... usually the fighter that gets creamed starts off scared and wants to touch... eddie sanchez vs cro cop being the most obvious example, but there have been plenty... sometimes the repliers ruin the threads and not the one who started it

SuperG7 · 05-16-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSPalltheway

i think krav makes some reasonable points... usually the fighter that gets creamed starts off scared and wants to touch... eddie sanchez vs cro cop being the most obvious example, but there have been plenty... sometimes the repliers ruin the threads and not the one who started it

i agree with GSPall... i think that some of the repliers ruin it... it was a good thread to start off with he just had retarted views....

on the thread, i think its just a sign of respect and thats the real reason they touch gloves no sign of weakness or fear at all...

xVERITASx · 05-16-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSPalltheway

i think krav makes some reasonable points... usually the fighter that gets creamed starts off scared and wants to touch... eddie sanchez vs cro cop being the most obvious example, but there have been plenty... sometimes the repliers ruin the threads and not the one who started it

If you look at Ogawa vs. Fedor though Ogawa would not even touch Fedor's hand in the start and look what happened. I really do think it has nothing to do with being scared, just a habit for some.