True fans should know what to expect from the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. We've been watching it for years. The beauty of MMA - the very reason we love the sport - can also be its beast.
When you have two opposing fighters that are strong in their respective areas, we have to accept that it won't always equal fireworks. This isn't boxing - where you have very limited rules - it's a sport that was built on the concept of the puncher vs. the grappler.
I'm not Tyron Woodley’s biggest fan, but if you strip away the bias and ill-will, I agree with his points. Genuinely imagine yourself in his position; listen to his MMA Hour interview and the points he makes... truthfully, it's hard to disagree with what he says.
Dana is a scumbag. This is an egotistical, hot-headed, self-serving asshole that waits for insta-hit fighters to drop into his lap. He's the antithesis of a promoter. Whatever your thoughts on Woodley, this is a guy that has climbed to the top of your organisation to become a champion. That's a FACT. Whether you agree or not, this is the Welterweight champion of the UFC. If he's good enough to hold the belt, he deserves some form of respect - if not from the fans - at the very least from the owner/promoter of the org. One boring fight does not deserve a public slamming. I said the same when he threatened to drop Anderson Silva after his Maia fight and I feel the same now. These are two skilled fighters cancelling each other out. That's MMA. Deal with it.
Secondly, regarding Tyron's popularity: to me, it's an irrelevant point as history will judge his life in the cage. How Woodley performs across his career will dictate how he's remembered. Anderson Silva has established God status through what he achieved as a champion. That will never be tarnished and it will still be enjoyed many years from now. That's the fighter he was and history judges him accordingly. If Tyron Woodley puts the importance of his belt before his performances (much like Hendricks), that's his prerogative. But let's also consider this point: we've seen many successful fighters and former champs go on a slide and lose it all very quickly (Hendricks). This is an unforgiving sport with a cut-throat promoter. If fighters like Rory McDonald aren’t worth keeping around, how would someone like Tyron Woodley fair if he was to lose the belt? He has a family; he works in a sport with a very young retirement age. Excuse the guy for putting more emphasis on keeping the belt than taking scalps. That's his choice and he'll be remembered for how he chooses to fight... simple.
Personally, I long for the time where MMA goes back to its roots: where fans have more respect, patience and understanding for what these guys are actually doing (boring fight or not). Was Woodley/Maia a great fight - or even a good fight? - No. But does he deserve to have his credibility tarnished because he didn't take risks and tangle with a BJJ master? No. I like Maia a lot, but this is a guy that's now had two title shots, and in both, he expected his opponent to enter HIS world. His one-dimensional approach is just as much to blame as Woodley’s lack of punches. It's not enough to lay on the floor and beckon your opponent into your guard. This is quite literally the biggest fight of your career - a chance to change your life forever - take some risks if you want it that bad.
The people hating on Woodley aren't real martial arts fans.
They just want to see blood... And they like Dana more than the actual fighters.. A sign they probably should just watch WWE instead.
I thought the fight was boring, yes. But he is still the champ and he still beat a very tough Maia, with 1 arm...
Gotta give respect where its due. Until he is beaten, he is the best welterweight in the world. A super athlete with a good head on his shoulders, and he's a class act.
I'm a real martial arts fan who respects aggression. On the extreme end, we could have two guys circling each other for 15 minutes trying to land one more lazy jab. There's a reason Conor is the highest paid athlete in the sport. I don't have to think it's beautiful when you dick around for the last two minutes of a fight against a worn out opponent without even trying to finish him. This guy might hold the belt, but if he loses it, that's the end for him. The UFC isn't going to find ways to justify immediate rematches for him, because he's not going to be a draw.
Excellent post, the problem in my eyes is judges. If you're "winning" the fight and don't mind giving the fans a lackluster show then there is no reason to go for the kill.
Take the judges away and call anything that goes the distance a draw, 3 draws in a row and you lose the belt. More exciting fighters will move ahead of those without the drive/skills to finish fights.
My favorite part of MMA is trying to predict what fighter A will try to utilize against fighter B's physical attributes and techniques. Sometimes these fights don't turn out the way we hoped but that's part of the fun too.
Dana was talking to his paying customers, they bought tickets/ppv and Dana is saying this is not what we (UFC) is about. Just remember the fighters are payed from the ticket/ppv money. The ufc just skimps their profot and costs of it.
Cheap shots and name-calling really don't add anything to this discussion and race/personality didn't factor in my original post.
I've already mentioned that 'I'm not Tyron Woodley’s biggest fan', but I'm also adult and objective enough to seperate my opinions of him as a person with what happened on Saturday, night which was pure bullshit.
I think people need to give Maia some credit. He wasn't asking anyone into his world. He tried 24 (I believe) times for takedowns and Woodley was boss enough to deny every single one. As we've seen from the who's who of fighters Maia has into his world by force, this is no easy task. Who other than Silva, Weidman, and now Woodley have managed to withstand that?
Also, it's not like there was zero striking. Maia took some blows well. Woodley hits hard and Maia is a tough dude. I'm not trying to say this fight was exciting. But I appreciated the hell out of Woodley's performance. Other than GSP, who actually might be able to get him down, and possibly Askren, who he probably wouldn't fight even if the UFC brought him over, I don't think anyone will be able to get Woodley down. And we've seen Woodley against the best strikers in the division. The dude is unbelievable. He's had 3 exciting fights in a row prior to this one. I'm not sure what people want from him. And I understand if he's a little bitter over the hate.
BTR - I think people need to give Maia some credit. He wasn't asking anyone into his world. He tried 24 (I believe) times for takedowns and Woodley was boss enough to deny every single one. As we've seen from the who's who of fighters Maia has into his world by force, this is no easy task. Who other than Silva, Weidman, and now Woodley have managed to withstand that?
Also, it's not like there was zero striking. Maia took some blows well. Woodley hits hard and Maia is a tough dude. I'm not trying to say this fight was exciting. But I appreciated the hell out of Woodley's performance. Other than GSP, who actually might be able to get him down, and possibly Askren, who he probably wouldn't fight even if the UFC brought him over, I don't think anyone will be able to get Woodley down. And we've seen Woodley against the best strikers in the division. The dude is unbelievable. He's had 3 exciting fights in a row prior to this one. I'm not sure what people want from him. And I understand if he's a little bitter over the hate.
Agree completely. I didn't intend for my post to be overly critical of Maia, I do think, as the challenger, he should have had more tools in his box if he intended to win the title, but he's a world class ground specialist. If he can't get the fight to the ground then it's a bad day for him.
I respect Maia a lot and I'm glad he got given the title shot. He earned it through performance, which isn't the case with a lot of challengers/champions.