Sportsmanship in MMA

Locomotion

One of the reasons I'm such a big fan of the UFC (and one of the reasons I've almost completely gone off Premiership Football) is the level of sportsmanship in the sport.

I think two guys who can go in there and savagely beat each other up for up to 25 minutes and then immediately shake hands and / or hug is a perfect example of why this is a legitimate sport. It answers the critics who view MMA as nothing more than human cockfighting.

I have enjoyed the UFCs past efforts to punish those who don't seem to have respect for the sport or their other competitors such as when Marlon Sims, Noah Thomas and Allen Berube were kicked out of the TUF House.

I particularly enjoyed when Melvin Guillard refused to touch gloves with Joe Stevenson and was then called back by the referee to make sure he did touch gloves and then went on to get tapped out inside the first minute.

I think when you have absolute gents like GSP and Anderson Silva at the helm of the sport who, although unstoppable machines while in competition, are humble, respectful and modest after every fight, you can only see good things in terms of what's to come.

One thing that does concern me however (not sure if anyone else noticed) is that the referees have now begun to say before the bout "if you want to touch gloves, do so now". I don't like the idea that the fighters now have a choice in the matter just because it makes better TV if one of them doesn't touch gloves and that man is automatically the "bad ass".

When I see changes like this and incidents like Brock Lesnar laughing in the face of a defeated Heath Herring, I wonder, is sportsmanship in MMA on the way out?

dlofnep

Sportsmanship exists in MMA largely because it's hard not to respect someone who's willing to train as hard as you and lay it on the line, sometimes if even only for a few dollars or euro. It's not a street fight. There is no ill will. It's just a competitive combat sport.

Also - MMA is one of the few sports where most of the top level fighters ahve all trained with each other at some point, so alot get to become close or even friends.

Fozzy

As much as the sportsmanship is great to see, it's often the unsportsmanship that gets people wanting to see a fight

Mikel

I don't think the fighters should touch gloves at the start of the fight.
Maybe when they are in the centre when the ref explains the rules they should do it.
I think it's unfair if someone wants to shoot right from the bell he has to stop, touch gloves, and start from a static position.
Also, I don't see how touching gloves indicates 'sportmanship' in any case.
What's more important is the way you conduct yourself before during and after the fight

Fozzy

Actually, the sometimes excess showing of sportsmanship in MMA really annoys me sometimes. Like when two guys hug during a fight. That drives me mad. If I was fighting and my opponent tried to hug me, I'd just hit him. The ref told him to "protect himself at all times" before the fight. Although that would probably somehow make me the bad guy. It's bound to happen one of these days too

Raze_them_all

your told to come out fighting. That's why you touch gloves when the refs talking to you in the ring/cage before the fight. Nothing kills momentum more than rushing to the center and then stopping touching gloves, moving back then moving back in.

Baggio...

dlofnep wrote: »

Sportsmanship exists in MMA largely because it's hard not to respect someone who's willing to train as hard as you and lay it on the line, sometimes if even only for a few dollars or euro. It's not a street fight. There is no ill will. It's just a competitive combat sport.

Good post....

dunkamania

Great topic for a thread.The sportmanship aspect to MMA is a major part of why I like the sport so much. Sometimes the touching gloves thing is overdone, sometimes its appropriate. The only occasaion that I remember where fighters hugged during the fight was Paul Taylor vs Paul Kelly, and on that occasion I felt it was appropriate. As far as heelish behaviour goes, I am not a fan of it, but its part of the buisiness, being the bad guy is good for a fighters wallet. Hopefully, they will remain isolated acts.

waterford mma

dunkamania wrote: »

only occasaion that I remember where fighters hugged during the fight was Paul Taylor vs Paul Kelly

gsp gave fitch a hug at the start of the fifth round

dunkamania

That one actually annoyed me a bit

Charlie3dan

I think sportmanship is important and it's good to see so much in the UFC. Some people go over the top though. Anderson Silva's habit of kneeling and bowing in front of his opponent is a bit cringe worthy. Think GSP has done it a couple of times too.

Fozzy

Charlie3dan wrote: »

Some people go over the top though. Anderson Silva's habit of kneeling and bowing in front of his opponent is a bit cringe worthy. Think GSP has done it a couple of times too.

I've heard people call Anderson disrespectful for doing that dance he does after a fight! I guess it cancels out. Same with GSP doing that flip

Nothingcompares

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7603691.stm

possible explanation for the hugs