I've started this post at least three times and I've had to start over because I've found myself getting SO ANGRY. So let's see if I can get through it this time. Oh, and given this is my site it's my soap box to rant about anything I want, right?!
After UFC 101 I watched the post-fight press conference and wanted to see what others were saying on Twitter about the event. Just to remind you of what happened, Anderson beat Forrest by Knock Out 3 minutes & 23 seconds into the first round. Then immediately following the stoppage, Forrest essentially got up and ran out of the cage and into what I'd guess was his locker room. He didn't stick around for the final decision by the judges.
Anyway, I was absolutely dumbfounded at the opinions I read. Many people were saying he was hurt, potentially with a dislocated jaw. Some people even claimed he lost his hearing in one ear. Those people were 'fans' that read something on an Underground Forum. That's what happens with underground forums, they're total random rumors people make up. Unconfirmed. Unfounded. They're just bored people who have nothing better to do than make shit up. Remember the Kimo story from a couple weeks ago? Insane.
But that's not even what I'm upset about. Because you see those people gave justification to why Forrest ran out of the cage, "He was hurt and he needed medical attention". Which, as it turns out, was NOT ACCURATE.
What really upsets me are those fair weather fans that criticized and dogged Forrest for what he did. People berated him for his "lack of respect". Some people had the audacity to compare his behavior to what Brock Lesnar did (and has done multiple times). Really people? Because what Brock did was disrespectful to PAYING FANS by flipping us off. Never mind what he did to the biggest sponsor in the sport, and then some. Then some other people compared what Forrest did to the LeBron James and Dwight Howard saga. Okay that's not comparing apples to apples or even fruit to fruit. One is a team sport, the other is not. Just for starters.
What's so disheartening is a large majority of the world has no idea what fighters do to get ready for fights. It's emotional. Very emotional. And if it's not, then they're probably not really ready for the fight. People should have been saying "Wow Forrest Griffin has heart and was so upset with the loss that he ran out of the cage. Poor guy." He lost to Anderson Silva. The best pound for pound fighter in the world. The best. Losing to Anderson shouldn't move him in the rankings at all in my opinion. Forrest had nothing to lose but only something to gain. He didn't beat Anderson, so what? Neither have 25 or so other people that have been brave enough to step into the cage with him. And for those people that say it was rigged, please I beg you, go back to WWE. This sport doesn't want you. And for those other people that said this is Dana White's fault for forcing Forrest to take this fight, think again. Do you really think Dana would do anything to devalue a great fighter like Forrest and match him up with Anderson if he didn't think he was capable? Forrest is one of the quintesential UFC poster boys, would Dana really throw him to the lions? I would look at it as a compliment that Joe Silva thought Forrest was a good match up for Anderson. The UFC needed someone to push Silva, someone that wasn't afraid, someone that had the heart, guts and desire to make him fight. Who did they come to? Forrest Griffin. Even knowing the outcome I wouldn't think this was an easy match-up for Anderson. Many people picked Forrest to win. People (including Joe Silva) thought he had a shot.
I guess I get so upset because I know first hand what these guys go through while training for a fight. The only way I could know more so is if I were training for a fight personally. As most of my readers know, my fiance is a fighter. Mind you he's not fighting for the UFC, but serious fighters train for every fight as if they were stepping into the UFC Octagon. They take it seriously. This is their life (to quote Nate Quarry). These guys (and a few women) train their asses off. For months it's grueling trips to the gym. Sometimes three intense work outs a day for 6 days a week. And that one day a week they take "off" is probably just an easy work out day, you know your typical day at the gym if you're lucky enough to actually skip happy hour and make it to the gym. These guys cut anywhere from 20-35lbs (depending on weight class). They travel to remote gyms to train with different guys and to focus, leaving their families behind. With all of that invested, how could we be surprised when a fighter is overcome with emotion after losing a fight he (or she) put their heart and soul into training for.
And remember, these are professional fighters. They are paid to do this, they are not goverened by NCAA rules and the purpose is not to build fine young men, this is a business. If you as a fan have the right to boo them, they have the right as athletes to exit the cage without shaking their opponents hand or doing a post-fight interview. Wasn't it Charles Barkley that said "I don't want to be your kids role model"?
What would you have said to Forrest if he were your buddy? Because in this world of Twitter and blogs, what you write, his friends and family may read. Same goes for all other fighters out there. Now I'm certainly not this kind to all fighters, but then again not all fighters are as kind and deserving of respect as Forrest.
As this fantastic sport continues to grow and as the fans evolve, please keep in mind what goes into being a world class fighter before you trash talk, especially in public forums.
Don't believe everything you read unless it's CONFIRMED by the fighter or his camp. If you're truly a fan, please do your part to educate those around you and help SUPPORT those that make this sport possible.
