Quitting

Underground
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Yes this is a FRAT. But it is important, so if you give a shit about our sport, read on.

This post addresses some issues that were in tonight's TUF3 episode, but it is overall about our sport, and the mentality that is being built by some fighters and fans. So please leave it in the UG forums so that more people will view it.

So basically in tonight's episode, 2 fighters (Tait and Kristian) were given the chance to return, and both declined, with Tait saying he wasn't mentally prepared, and Kristian saying he didn't want to lose on TV again.

For anyone wanting to say that the decision not to return is ok, please check out Fred Ettish's response in the ATTN: Damebushi thread, and read about what the fuck it takes to want something that so many people want, and know that you may only have one shot.

I have respect for Tait and Kristian, but fuck man, the majority of us up-and-coming fighters want this shit so bad, we'll step through anyone in our way. It doesn't matter if Kristian already lost to Bisping, it doesn't matter if Tait didn't like the decision in his fight, none of that shit matters. This is fucking FIGHTING. It's what we get paid to do, and there's way too much these days of guys backing out of fights, and tapping out early from a couple clean shots, and not accepting fights because their fucking toenail hurts. We see this shit all over the place, and some people are beginning to think it's ok because it's commonplace.

But it's not ok. As a fighter, I lose respect when someone doesn't give their all, or when someone doesn't take the chances given to them because they figure another chance is just down the road.

Everyone wants to say that TUF is ruining MMA? The only bad thing about it is that guys are getting it in their head that it's ok to cop out, because they'll just get a chance to return next week, or at a future UFN show. That's when they'll 'really' put on their show. Bullshit.

When you step in the ring/cage, it is real. Get over it. This isn't baseball, this isn't video games. If you don't want to get hit, cut, knocked down, knocked out, and otherwise hurt, then never step in there in the first place. Just do us a favour and get out of our way.

Is the TUF format about having some guys in there who may not win, but are there to put on an ok show for the eventual winners? Sure, you can say that. But that doesn't mean that those guys should be balking at a chance of a lifetime.

Now before you go thinking this is all hate on Tait, Kristian, Noah, or whoever else has ever been on a TUF show, keep in mind that I've been doing this a while, and I've seen guys come and go, and I've had plenty of opponents and seen plenty of other peoples' opponents back out after seeing that this is an all too real war.

Bottom line: This is not all finesse. This is not all about your abs, or your tattoos, or your groupies, or your 'crew'. This is fighting, and when you get in there, realize that it's just you, and what you bring inside of you.

If you have nothing inside of you, step the fuck out of the way. And if you don't like the reality that I'm presenting to you, make the mistake of thinking this is all a game of words, and I will eat you alive when you come across me in the cage. And you know what? So would at least 50 other people I can think of right now.

Take your opportunities, people. Challenge yourselves.

Geese 'Hell' Jones

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lol 50 see I should've just made that my post

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Well, you could look at it this way- for Tait and Kristian, they weren't necessarily dumb or heartless.

When nearly every TUF guy gets asked back anyway, why take a last minute fight you dont feel ready for? It's the Zuffa heads fault for creating the environment where getting your "shot of a lifetime" means simply getting cast on the show- period.

They know if they'll get a future prelim, and if they put up a good fight they'll get asked back again.

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'why take a last minute fight you dont feel ready for? '

Not Monty, rmember the roots of our sport, and what those guys had to do. Given 4 days to fight an exhibition fight for a shot at the big time? No sweat.

Real pressure is not being able to put food on the table for your kids.

If you're a fighter, then just fight. Simple as that.

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ttt

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keep in mind their losses were wars, even if either would have won their fights, they would have been hurting in their next fight.
I think it pissed Dana off, but it just shows how devestating a defeat can be for a fighter.

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amen, buck up

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"why take a last minute fight you dont feel ready for?"

Because it's your fucking job, that's why. Here's a hypothetical situation for you:

You are a promoter in need of a last second substitution to fill out your card. Fighter A declines your offer, saying that he is unprepared and/or doesn't want to lose on TV (again). Fighter B agrees to compete for you, but gets smoked in under a minute due to his lack of prep time.

Which fighter do you ask back for your next event? The guy that said no, or the one that took a pounding while bailing your ass out of a bad situation?

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I would pick A since B lost twice in a row and lost his marketing value, rednecks dont give a shit about losers, they buy tickets to see someone wins.

In case you dont know, that shit happened in UFC already, Wes Sims for instance.

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I didn't see the episode, but if those really are the reasons given by each guy, that is very pussy. PERIOD!

Whoever made the post about "Gameness" hit the nail on the head. This isn't a sport for the faint hearted, there are technicians in the sport but the better technician does not always win and that's where "Gameness" comes into play. There are more mental midgets in this sport, a good amount more than any other two sports combined I swear to god it kills me. All of these seemingly "tough" and "badass" guys have such fragile eggshell egos and super low self esteem and low self confidence.

The Legends and Champions are where they are because they TRULY believe they should be there. Think about it, how many of the current Champions in either org. (UFC/Pride) are loud and obnoxious trying to constantly convinve everyone how badass they are. I actually can't think of any and that's because those guys don't need to convince themselves, they actually believe/know they are legit.

Lates

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You had me at "Yes this is a FRAT."

Seriously, though, I think the TUF "boot camp" environment steeps these guys in the reality of the fighter life, and for some, it's the first time they've experienced it.

I think some of them just come to the conclusion during the show that it ain't the life for them.

You can't screen for this via a promo DVD, a few tryout sessions, and interviews. If UFC wants to screen TUF contestants more effectively, I think they'd need to develop a scouting network.

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Best thing I've ever read on the UG

"Bottom line: This is not all finesse. This is not all about your abs, or your tattoos, or your groupies, or your 'crew'. This is fighting, and when you get in there, realize that it's just you, and what you bring inside of you."

I wonder if the growing popularity of MMA is starting to attract folks who don't exactly have what it takes. People who have done some wrestling/jujitsu and some boxing and THINK that's what they need. Then reality sets in and they realize its more than physical skill and endurance.

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I can understand Kristian. He got beat badly and is still feeling the effects physically and mentally, but tait basically got robbed in a decision and should have jumped at the chance to be where he should be still fighting on the show.

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PUT ME IN COACH!!!!!!!

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I was shocked that Tait turned down the chance to fight again. During the first few weeks of the show he was posting on this forum like crazy.So, I figured after he lost we would see more of him later. Last night when they asked him to fight I was like OH YEAH BITCHES, TAIT'S BACK! Then when he said no, I felt the same way that I did when Tyson got beat by Buster Douglas.As a fan of Tait, I was let down.

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"I wonder if the growing popularity of MMA is starting to attract folks who don't exactly have what it takes."

Also, the growing exposure is giving more of us a chance to see a broader range of what is out there in the fight game. Without venues like TUF, we'd never get to see - in such graphic detail - folks who tried and simply couldn't make it.

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"Everyone wants to say that TUF is ruining MMA? The only bad thing about it is that guys are getting it in their head that it's ok to cop out, because they'll just get a chance to return next week, or at a future UFN show. That's when they'll 'really' put on their show. Bullshit."

This is the heart of the problem. The TUF fighters know that even if they lose their fight, they will not only be brought into the UFC anyway, they will be given shameless promotion and a terrible tomato can opponent. Why fight with cracked ribs when you can just take a rest and beat the crap out of some complete tool on the next UFN.

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well just dont bring those bumbs back the mma world isnt going to care one bit

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"don't know what we can do about but something needs to be done"

Thats an easy one bro. Let only the winners into the UFC. Everyone else has to work their way back up through smaller shows just like any other fighter.

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It's amazing, Tait can decide to fight a street fight at a hotel, with a drunk guy... As Rogan told us. Yet pass on TUF, saying he's just not mentally prepared.