If you look at any sport other than MMA every single writer and reporter has physically participated in that sport in some way. Basketball, tennis, football, baseball, whatever. All the reporters have at least swung a bat once in their life, shot a basketball, or thrown a football. In my opinion you should not be allowed to write a word about MMA unless you have been on a wrestling mat and at least lightly felt what it is like to be in side control. At least make an attempt at learning an armbar from guard. Feel what it's like to be in the clinch standing and shown what an underhook is.
These people writing about MMA is like me writing about the sport of Cricket even though I have never touched a paddle.
lol....do you honestly think John Clayton has played football?
Maybe he was an equipment manager....but that's the most of it.
I said "thrown a football". I didn't say put on pads and hit.
But by that rationale, wouldn't any person who's ever been in a fight ever in their entire life have participated in some fashion of MMA?
Did they punch, wrestle with or kick anybody in their life? Check. Qualified!!
and what exactly does throwing a football in the backyard with our 10 year old cousin have to do with reporting on football?
No, because MMA is a sport. We are talking about "learning" about the sport. Not winging punches.
shadowboxes in front of bathroom mirror: I'm a qualified mma reporter.
Michgan241 - and what exactly does throwing a football in the backyard with our 10 year old cousin have to do with reporting on football?
These people writing about MMA is like me writing about the sport of Cricket even though I have never touched a paddle.
vegard - shadowboxes in front of bathroom mirror: I'm a qualified mma reporter.
Exactly!
Bert Sugar is one of the most well-respected and prolific writers on boxing ever and he never boxed.
Ok...I think I see your point that MMA journalists should try to learn MMA moves, techniques, etc.
It is good advice to any journalist to know the topic they cover.
But your examples are somewhat narrow...and don't make your point well.
However, right now it seems MMA journalists need to focus on the journalism part more than the MMA part...and start verifying their sources and actually confirming stories.
SurferFL -Michgan241 - and what exactly does throwing a football in the backyard with our 10 year old cousin have to do with reporting on football?
These people writing about MMA is like me writing about the sport of Cricket even though I have never touched a paddle.
again i ask what does throwin a football in the backyard have to do with reporting about football?
The problem with mma writers is all the fawning, sycophantic coverage of all things UFC and Dana White and the second class treatment all the rest of mma gets.
Thats the biggest problem with the mma media. They are either on Zuffa's payroll or write every article knowing they could be banned if Dana is offended by anything they write.
orcus - Bert Sugar is one of the most well-respected and prolific writers on boxing ever and he never boxed.
I bet he's put boxing gloves on at least a few times in his life.
Meohfumado - Ok...I think I see your point that MMA journalists should try to learn MMA moves, techniques, etc.
It is good advice to any journalist to know the topic they cover.
But your examples are somewhat narrow...and don't make your point well.
However, right now it seems MMA journalists need to focus on the journalism part more than the MMA part...and start verifying their sources and actually confirming stories.
to be fair ESPN the biggest sports network around doesnt even have solid journalists. they employ skip bayless who is essentially a troll who is paid to troll. they report stuff that turns out to be false all the time.
Michgan241 -Meohfumado - Ok...I think I see your point that MMA journalists should try to learn MMA moves, techniques, etc.
It is good advice to any journalist to know the topic they cover.
But your examples are somewhat narrow...and don't make your point well.
However, right now it seems MMA journalists need to focus on the journalism part more than the MMA part...and start verifying their sources and actually confirming stories.
to be fair ESPN the biggest sports network around doesnt even have solid journalists. they employ skip bayless who is essentially a troll who is paid to troll. they report stuff that turns out to be false all the time.
I was just bringing up the most weasily pussy-looking reporter I could think of. Not necessarily saying he is a great professional or anything (I know cowboy fans don't think so).
Michgan241 -SurferFL -Michgan241 - and what exactly does throwing a football in the backyard with our 10 year old cousin have to do with reporting on football?
These people writing about MMA is like me writing about the sport of Cricket even though I have never touched a paddle.
again i ask what does throwin a football in the backyard have to do with reporting about football?
A football is the basis of the sport of football. How can you report on something you've never participated in, even remotely? Technically you can do whatever you want as your first amendment right, but I call bullshit.
and Michgan241. Don't argue just to argue. If you are happy with the state of MMA reporters than that is fine by me, but don't play devils advocate just to be a jackass.
The guy who runs Purefight.org was a 4 year starter on the wrestling team at University of Missouri and was pretty competitive from what I remember.
Theres no way most of those guys covering those sports have played it at a competitive level. Maybe little league or maybe a few years in high school.