Over the past 6 years or so I've become a pretty big fan of MMA. To avoid confusion, I'm referring to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts and not the Massachusetts Municipal Association nor the Mobile Marketing Association. I truly get a kick (no pun intended) out of watching milennia old techniques being executed in a true-ish to life setting. I completely respect the fundamentals of each discipline -- boxing's jab, Muay Thai's teep, etc. -- but, of course, the exotic, more flashy techniques are my favorites. Who will ever forget Anthony Pettis's crazy kick in the 5th round of a title fight?!
But over the years it seems like injuries during training are on the rise. Including the upcoming UFC 133 event scheduled for August 6, 6 of the last 9 UFC cards, dating back to March 19, 2011, have had changes to the main event. That's not to mention the non-main event fights. UFC 133, for example, was originally to be headlined by former champ Rashad Evans vs. current champ Jon Jones for the light heavyweight championship. Unfortunately Jon Jones pulled out of the fight to have thumb surgery. Replacing Jones was the up-and-coming, undefeated Phil Davis... until he was injured in training and slated to have knee surgery. As it stands now, Evans will be fighting long time UFC veteran Tito Ortiz. I'll spare you the juicy back stories but suffice it to say that Ortiz vs. Evans is not Evans vs. Jones.
At the same UFC 133, FIVE other fight matchups have been altered or scrapped completely due to fighter injuries! Ok, so one is because of a car accident but that doesn't help my case.
Originally Became Reason
Nogueira vs Franklin Scrapped Nogueira (shoulder)
Pace vs. MacDonald Pace vs. Menjivar MacDonald replaced
an injured fighter at UFC 130
Mendes vs. Aldo (Champ) Rahya vs. Mendes Aldo (neck)
Matyushenko vs. Gustafsson Hamill vs. Gustafsson Matyushenko (undisclosed injury)
Fukuda vs. Natal Phillipou vs. Natal Fukuda (car accident/knee)
This being just one card at one event, it's easy to see how a fan's frustration can mount. I won't bother listing the other five main events that were recently altered. But how about this tidbit: Jones became champ by filling in for Evans at UFC 128 when Evans was injured training for that same title fight.
So the question becomes "what can be done to remedy the situation?" Well, you can't really ask fighters not to train as hard. Who would risk their personal safety like that? On top of that, the fights would not be as entertaining without proper, well executed technique. So, my solution is... ummm... uhhh... Okay, so I don't have a solution but I can still be frustrated and disappointed, right?
Just Joe
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