[quote]otoko wrote:
But remember this; MMA money is fairly limited compared to other sports. It is just not attacting the top athletes and maybe not even the most skilled fighters. And until it does, competition will be watered down (relatively). Imagine a boxer with world class boxing skills learning submissions, etc at an early point in his career and what type of fighter he’d be? Won’t happen though. Why? Boxing money is so much bigger. Someone said it in another post and they were right - imagine if the Jevon Kearse’ of the world were attracted to MMA at an early age? Won’t happen until the MMA money here gets BIG. Six figure contract? Are you kidding me? Whats that? A three year contract for $105k? C’mon. This is why the competition is relatively mediocre. It’s a tough tough way to make a living to begin with; now consider the relatively low pay.
I have thought about this alot. Initially it makes sense. Though I think there are a few holes in this argument.
I don’t agree that the most skilled fighters are not fighting. Maybe not in the UFC. But the best bjj fighters do fight in Pride, Arona, Nogueira brothers, Bustamante, etc. Sambo, Fedor, three time World Combat Sambo champion. Olympic caliber wrestlers. K-1 kickboxers.
Boxing money isn’t good for everybody, only the guys at the top. Having world class boxing skills doesn’t mean you would be a great champion.
The money at the top in boxing is great, why don’t more heavyweight athletes try to become heavyweight champion of the world. The sport is tough. Being strong and quick are great, but it isn’t nearly enough. For every great physical specimen like Tyson and Roy Jones jr. there is a Bernard Hopkins and James Toney.
Alot of people just cannot fight, they don’t have it in them. Andthat is normal. Just because you are a freak athlete doesn’t change that.
Guys like Bob Sapp, he shouldn’t fight. He can. But with tears in his eyes and showing his back it is a disgrace. I think even if mma money was the same as american football more people would still choose to play football.
Top guys in Pride make decent money, 500,000-2,000,000dollars a fight. [/quote]
Well I’m not sure we entirely disagree. First, my thoughts were more about the UFC. UFC money is shit and the competition in the UFC is not great. And that is my criticism of all the Hughes fans and their mentioning of his “accomplishments”. I really believe the measure of the man will be known when and if he fights outside of the UFC.
I mention boxing, again, when considering the lack of (relative) skills in the UFC; if you had a guy with world class hands and reactions learning MMA early on, you’d have one tough competitor. I can’t take it when people talk about how good this guy Hughes is, about how he is the best in a division that is loaded, and his hands aint shit. What does that tell you about the competition?
Why don’t more heavyweight guys go into boxing? Same reason they don’t go into MMA. The money, top to bottom, is not there. Only at the very top. And the top is occupied by 4 at most. Social and popularity issues at work here too. Basketball and football are far more popular outlets for the young and developing athlete. You’re surely not going to argue that these MMA guys top to bottom are “elite” athletes are you? There is more athletic talent sitting on the bench on an NFL football team than there is the UFC. Heck, there is more talent from the guys CUT from the NFL that currently in the UFC.
I’m not sure I understand your point about Hopkins and Toney? What was the point? That they are not “physical specimens”. Uh boy, you’re wrong. Hopkins is a marvelous physical specimen for his weight class - its not even a debate. It’s a boxing match - not a BB contest. And the man is a specimen. And are you forgetting what Toney was like in his prime at his true weight? You lost me there friend.
Alot of people can’t fight? Again, what is your point. If you can’t fight - the economic law of competition takes over. Can’t fight? You disappear from the scene. Only in places like crazy-ass Japan where they tolerate and reward a big CUR like Sapps can a loser make money. You quit here and you’re done.
I certainly understand your points about athletic skill does not always beget a fighter. The point was that from top to bottom, these fighters out there are by no means “remarkable” athletes. If and when the sport attracts those type of athletes who of course, need to be able to fight, we might have something special to watch. And that will NEVER happen until the money is big and of course, social issues develop to push the sport like basketball, football, etc. It’s still not just popular enough.
Does anyone know when we can expect Hughes to leave the comfy confines of the UFC and show us his mettle overseas?
