mma, barroom brawling without the broken bottles.

The fact that anyone puts a microphone in front of Bert Sugar anymore is cause for concern.

 

He's not that far off with that assesement. Theres large pockets of MMA globally notably in Japan and the also in US because of the emergence of the UFC. That said MMA is not a global phenomena contrary to what Dana would have you believe. Either way it was Dana ( a failed boxing promoter ) who was grinding the axe into boxing repeatedly looking for some cheap leverage. Its only natural that old timers like Bert are going to view it much the same as McCain did as "human cockfighting".

 

"MMA will be dead in 5 years"

he says at the end here

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUbUJf8v91I[/ame]

 

I enjoyed listening to the interview, it's great to learn a bit of history.

I think it's a classic case of the war between the older generation and new. And distrust between the old and the young. The old-timers see the young guys who in to the MMA, having no respect for boxing. Then the young guys think the boxing fans are old farts.

I get pissed off with MMA because I can watch as much of it is I want, but I'm not able to watch any boxing to do my circumstances. So I do seem to get a bit rose tinted about boxing.

Looking at it totally dispassionately I do think MMA still has a lot to prove. There's a hell of a lot of people with their head in the sand.

MMA fights are often boring, I feel like the kid in the emperors new clothes fairytale.

The Jacksons versus Evans fight was not bad, but during the after fight analysis, they endlessly played the two bits of worthwhile action from the fight. Because that's all there was.

And don't even get me started on the two men clamped together bore fests.

Of course once in a while you get the most amazing exciting fight ever.

The bottom line is both sports have good things and bad things about them.

But I personally, lived through the competition karate craze, the semi-contact karate craze. The kickboxing craze. They have all been and gone. Who's to say MMA isn't going to be added to the "ever happened to that" list.

 

Will B.S. outlast MMA?

 

Personally i think the Golden Era of MMA has already come and gone. The legends of the sport are waning fast. Are we going to see another Fedor? CC? Big Nog? Barnett? Even second tier guys like Shamrock Coleman and Frye are a rarity. The irony is fighters were of a much higher calibre when they came from distinct and unique disciplines rather than this whole "cross trained mantra" which produces fighters that are average at everything rather than very good at just one thing.

 

Personally, I think we'll see way more guys like Jose Aldo in years to come; the kind of guys who are great at everything.

 

Five years ago Bret was saying MMA will be dead in five years.

 

I highly doubt it. Guys like GSP are unique and a rarity. To think otherwise imo is a bit naive.

 

Hasnt happend though has it. You can be as optimistic as you like. But facts are MMA doesnt boast many "well rounded" fighters. I wouldnt even call Fedor well rounded. The fighters that excel in this sport are those that know what their strengths are and are able to execute.

 

Bert Sugar is a boxing historian. Albeit he likes to embellish now and then. Id hardly call him a moron though. He's from a totally different era.

 

You wouldn't call Fedor well-rounded? What is missing from his game exactly?

 

You cant include guys like those as Shogun and Anderson came from pure striking backgrounds and complemented their styles with BJJ. That said there known primarily as strikers. The same goes for BJ.

 

In 2005 these idiots said MMA would fade away and die so now its 2010 they say its another 5 years. Yeah it really looks like its dying alright meanwhile boxing gyms are closing up and MMA gyms are replacing it on even worse boxing gym overs have to take there asses to MMA clubs and try to keep the buisness going somewhat.