Criticism comes with any sport. Fans see their stars or favorite teams losing and everyone has an opinion on what they should do to fix the problem. This comes from the large amount of time, money, and mental investment that fans devote to these athletes. We often see this happening when teams are losing and can’t stop; however, how do we find time to criticize people who win on a consistent basis?
Imagine criticizing the New England Patriots as they defeated everyone in their way during their nearly undefeated season. What about criticizing the Chicago Bulls as they amassed a record of 72-10 during the 1995-96 NBA season? Overwhelming greatness is something that we don’t often see in sports, yet we may be coming close in the realm of mixed martial arts.
In a recent MMA Fighting article, Jon Fitch indicates that he feels the criticism that fighters like him and current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre receive is valid. Both fighters are known for their technical styles, which are very effective, but do not produce the highlight reel finishes that fans love to see. Due to that fact, both fighters are criticized as boring, or for fighting too cautiously. It’s easy to find debates raging left and right across the Internet about these fighters being boring, and fans not wanting to watch them. While I do feel that both fighters could stand to push the pace a little more at some points, I would never call them boring, and enjoy watching their fights just as much as I do those of Jose Aldo or Jon Jones.
St. Pierre and Fitch have a combined record of 52-5-1, with a total of 22 wins coming by way of decision. Looking at their recent fights, both have accumulated streaks of decision victories (and even one draw) that have fostered the negative feelings towards their styles. However, it’s important to consider the competition that both guys have been facing. At the top of the MMA ladder you will find fewer and fewer guys who are consistently finished in their careers. Fighters like Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck, Thiago Alves, and Paulo Thiago are rarely, if ever, finished. GSP and Jon Fitch have been able to dominate these fighters, and I do not feel that their inability to finish any of them should reflect negatively towards our perception of either of them. On the contrary, I believe it is a testament to the toughness of the competition atop the UFC’s Welterweight Division.
Fighting to excite the fans does have its benefits, still nothing beats fighting to win first. So-called “action fighters” like Leonard Garcia and Matt Brown may have long standing places on the UFC roster as they lose fight after fight, but what does that mean for their careers? Moreover, how does being in those physically grueling matches affect their long-term health? I believe that any athlete’s first obligation is to win. It’s especially important in mixed martial arts where losing one fight can send you down to the bottom of the barrel; see Gerald Harris. Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren said it best when he expressed his disdain for fans who boo, and the fighters who try to fight to please them first. While I won’t call them “losers” as he did, I do believe that style will not help them out in any type of fashion.
If any fighter says that he or she fights for the fans first, I’d honestly believe he or she was lying. Exciting fights with spectacular finishes are a great thing to behold. But I won’t discredit the fighters who do into battle and consistently win with a style that works for them.
