Ronda Rousey constantly reassures Joe Rogan of her love for being the heel, making the point that, whether cheers or boos, at the end of the day they’re all decibels that make noise in her name.
Now, her fellow UFC Four Horsewomen seem to happily follow in her footsteps and embrace, even strive for, this villainous role. Some other fighters like Jon Jones and Stephan Bonnar also feel very comfortable in this position, but what does it truly bring to MMA?
Chael Sonnen was no doubt the originator of being outspoken and deliberately controversial in order to get a response out of the media and his opponents. Sonnen mastered the craft; separating the persona from the real man however, a distinction still blurred in those currently treading the same path.
Mixed Martial Arts is still under scrutiny as to whether it is as legitimate of a sport as Football, Soccer, etc. Or is it simply violence for violence’s sake? The training these athletes put themselves through day in and day out, and even more so in preparation for a fight, more than rivals that of any other sport. By then promoting oneself, for the sake of selling a fight as well as an individual imagine, which is hopefully profitable, might debatably take away from the athletic abilities and prowess that all fighters show.
The actions of one aren’t the actions of the whole, there is no doubt; but when the one has a much bigger platform, due to their fame, than the rest, then their actions take on a greater emphasis. As such was developed the saying ‘with great power comes great responsibility”.
Ultimately, it is currently paying off for the UFC and other organizations to have one or more fighter hype their upcoming bouts this way. As it goes on, the resemblances to professional, mainstream, wrestling become closer and closer, and to someone who admires the heart and determination shown inside the cage, it makes it much harder to defend the true core of what MMA is beyond the pre-show spectacles of individuals using any and all platforms to reach a wide audience.
Sports can, and are, inherently entertaining for the masses. The question posed should rather be, should show take priority over sport? In my opinion, the sport needs to retain the spotlight and a small show on the side only serves to drive it forward, not to take the driver’s seat. No back seat driver should be needed at this point in the history of Mixed Martial Arts if it is to keep growing and developing into an entity as great as any other widely certified sports.
By Caroline Richer
