Jan 1, 2009 - 8:54:49 PM By Wade Keller, MMATorch supervising editor
This week MMATorch columnist Jason Bent wrote an article about how sometimes if someone criticizes a black athlete he's accused of being racist. Bent was accused of that earlier this week when he was critical of Evans, and he wrote a column disputing that assumption. Since then, some readers have said on the web-version of MMATorch in the reader comment area after Bent's column that Evans hasn't disrespected the sport. I think that's just an argument over terminology. Is it "disrespectful" to show poor sportsmanship and come across as a cocky ass? I'm not sure it disrespects the sport of MMA, but it logically would make some fans want to see him lose.
He comes across as having no sense of humility and no sportsmanship. MMA is a sport built on honor in many respects, and Evans doesn't act in accordance with that informal code of conduct. As a result, it's natural some fans would want to see him lose to knock him down a few notches. He acted cocky last Saturday against Forrest Griffin, he acted the same way in other fights, and he did it on TUF.
Rashad seems like a jerk. I'm not sure that disrespects MMA as much as it makes him someone you might want to see lose.
As pointed out by a reader, Kimbo Slice being pushed by EliteXC as a main eventer MMA fighter disrespected MMA more than Evans. I'd also argue that Rampage Jackson's extra few punches to the face of Wanderlei Silva after the ref stepped in disrespects MMA more than Evans does with his cocky dancing and arrogant showmanship.
I think Evans might be marketing himself as a bad guy to try to stand out and eventually become a bigger attraction, taking the approach of being the guy people pay to see lose. ( I think 90 percent would be rooting for Anderson Silva against Evans.) I doubt, though, that he's the nicest guy in MMA if you bumped into him in public, but you really can't know for sure from what someone does on TV in a fight.
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I don't get where this Rashad is an ass talk comes from, in the previews he
comes across as well spoken and no more confident or cocky than any other
fighter. Put the same behaviour behind the goofy looking face of Forest
Griffin and no one cares. Personally I see I guy that actions say, you
don't think I can do it--Watch this!! I have been a Rashad fan since he
was on TUF, you could just see him improving during the show, he quietly
believed he could win when no one else gave him a chance. Sure he may not
have had the most exciting fighting style, and I think this is where the
dislike of Rashad came from. I heard this said once "people don't like
people who talk smack and back it up", Rashad does exactly that.
Congratulations "Sugar".
My problem with Rashad is very simple: not only is he cocky, but is cocky
having shown absolutely nothing to back it up. Remember the Murphy fight?
Did barely enough to win but was jumping around like an idiot? Or the
infamous Salmon head kick? What they dont tell you is that Rashad was
losing every minute of the fight til that kick. Or would have lost the Tito
fight if not for the fence grab. OR that a solid half the people I've ever
talked to think he lost the Bisping fight. Or blighted us with the Bonnar
fight, one of the most boring disgraces in history. Or lost the 1st 2
rounds against Forrest in decisive fashion. Or Ko-ed an aging, glass
chinned Chuck after doing nothing in the first round of the fight, then
danced like he just knocked out Fedor. Rashad is a two-trick pony: attempt
to take the guy down and lay on him for 3 rounds (see Bisping, Michael) or
stand there bobbing your head and wait for an overhand right over-the-top
counter. That's it. Those are literally his only two abilities of note. The
fact that he is on anyone's P4P list is completely laughable. Here's a
clue: at least ATTEMPT a sub at some point in your life, THEN you can
appear on a P4P list.
Kyle
02 Jan 2009, 10:08
Cocky but nothing to show for it? You're kidding right? Beating two UFC
champions in devastating fashion? Wow, thats a pretty ignorant statement.
tayo
07 Jan 2009, 14:39
Hopefully he showboats more, makes the "show" more interesting. Especially
when he backs it up. We can list dozens of fighters that are cocky. We
should only have a problem with the ones that dont back it up. He hasn't
lost a fight yet. What's to hate?
Oh year nobody of relevance ever accuses his critics of racism. That people
are so quick to claim they aren't racist, when they were the ones that
brought it up, makes me wonder...
Nick
09 Jan 2009, 12:16
What makes me mad about rashad is the way he presents himself in the ring.
In interviews he may be a well spoken guy, but in the ring he acts like an
ass. If you disagree thats fine, but remember the next time your going toe
to toe with some dude, don't get mad when he starts tweaking his nipples
(chuck lidell)or blowing kisses at you (forest griffin). Personally i think
anyone who acts like this is retared. It seems more like a wrestling thing
to do rather then mma.
