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Amadi's Take
AMADI: Examining overreaction from fans and media to MMA fighters and results
Sep 12, 2011 - 9:40:15 AM
AMADI: Examining overreaction from fans and media to MMA fighters and results
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By: Jason Amadi, MMATorch Columnist

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The general attitudes of mixed martial arts fans tend to be so extreme and reactionary that many believe those MMA fans don't regularly consume traditional sports. It may sound a bit condescending, but at times, it seems as though little else can rationalize how so many fans can wholeheartedly believe in the invincibility of their favorite fighter, but then completely abandon them following a loss. This type of "fair-weather fan" mentality is certainly present in other sports, but isn't nearly as pervasive and widespread as it is in MMA. While it may very well be true that MMA fans of that mindset lack the sophistication of traditional sports fans (and that's saying a lot), there is no getting away from the fact that the MMA media generally groom fans to view the sport this way.

Last week, Sherdog.com put up "MMA's All-Time Heavyweights," a list intended to compile the ten greatest heavyweights in the history of the sport. The list is pretty much what you'd expect, and quite frankly, the heavyweight division is so historically fractured and weak that much of the list isn't really even up for debate. However, I do take umbrage with the inclusion of UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez on a list of the ten greatest heavyweights of all time.

While Cain Velasquez is certainly an excellent fighter, his inclusion on such a list exemplifies how the MMA media facilitates extreme and reactionary views on the sport. The fact that Velasquez's current buzz is able to trump the resume and historical significance of a fighter like Pedro Rizzo in some people's minds is a bit telling. After all, Rizzo has defeated six former UFC champions and set the gold standard for heavyweight title fights with Randy Couture back in 2001. Conversely, Velasquez has nine fights, is the reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion, but is still relatively new to the upper echelon of the division and hasn't even made a single defense of his title.

For perspective, consider the man Velasquez will make his first title defense against, Junior dos Santos. Dos Santos has fourteen career fights (to Velasquez's nine), has battered and manhandled Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Fabricio Werdum, two men who are ranked alongside Velasquez on the all-time great list, and has shown virtually no weaknesses throughout his career outside of a quick submission loss over four years ago. Despite those accolades, not only was he excluded from the all-time great list in favor of Velasquez (neither should really be anywhere near this list), but dos Santos is considered a sizable underdog against Velasquez in their upcoming title fight.

Cain Velasquez's hype is absolutely justified and he has earned every bit of it. That being said, would anyone really be surprised if Junior dos Santos were able to knock him out? Considering the way most people seem to envision this fight going, if dos Santos pulls off the "upset," does he steal Velasquez's power for himself Dragon Ball Z style? Does dos Santos then become unbeatable?

Velasquez isn't even the only UFC champion without a title defense who's receiving this type of early praise. UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has been nothing but impressive to this point, but how likely is it that Jones "beats the blood" out of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson later this month, as Ed Lover would have you believe?

"Rampage" is one of the most durable light heavyweights ever, a former champion, and one of the heaviest hitters in the sport. Jones is the rightful favorite, but Jackson possesses some of the division's best defensive wrestling and a knockout punch. Would anyone really be surprised if Jackson thwarted takedowns and laced Jones in the first round? If he becomes the first man to give Jones a proper loss, does Jackson then become unbeatable?

The fact is, prospects like Jones and Velasquez who legitimize themselves with championship gold are phenomenal athletes, and very well might remain in the upper echelon of their respective divisions as long as they compete. However, they haven't even defended their championships, yet alone separated themselves from the top tier of their divisions in the way that Fedor Emelinaneko, Anderson Silva, and Georges St-Pierre have.

As hard as it may be at times, fans and media alike have to resist the urge to declare title defenses a mere perfunctory exercise. Obviously, Jones and Velasquez make it difficult for fans and media to temper their enthusiasm, but it would be nice if we could see a few title defenses from the two before talk of hall of fame induction ceremonies.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter @JasonAmadi. I feel like I might be a follower away from achieving unquestionable legendary status.


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