Cheick Kongo Turned Down Fight Against Roy Nelson at TUF 16 Finale

Cat--Smasher · 11-16-2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

One fighter who was offered the bout against Nelson, but turned it down was French born heavyweight Cheick Kongo.

According to a Twitter message via UFC President Dana White, the call was made to Kongo to see if he would accept the bout against Nelson in December.

“Kongo turned it down,” wrote White in response.

Kongo last fought in July when he won a unanimous decision over Shawn Jordan in a largely lackluster bout. Kongo hasn’t commented about being offered the fight, but according to his Twitter account he’s currently at home in France.

Cheick Kongo Turned Down Fight Against Roy Nelson at TUF 16 Finale | MMAWeekly.com

The8thPlague · 11-16-2012, 07:43 AM

I'm trying to think of reasons why I'm not surprised... I Can't.

lwbrewer · 11-16-2012, 07:53 AM

A lot of varible were not aware of, but turning down the fight with the info we have doesn't put Kongo in a good spot. Kongo's been around long enough that many casual fans know him. He looks like a great tough guy, but we've seen him fight to many times to know the difference.

Fedorlei Gomipierre · 11-16-2012, 08:00 AM

I'm cool with this. Clearly, Cheick didn't get in a full camp of groin shots to fully prepare for Nelson and I mean....you can't expect him to go into a fight without the proper level of nutshot training. JEEZ!

rivethead · 11-16-2012, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwbrewer

A lot of varible were not aware of, but turning down the fight with the info we have doesn't put Kongo in a good spot. Kongo's been around long enough that many casual fans know him. He looks like a great tough guy, but we've seen him fight to many times to know the difference.

But I can't help wondering why we're told every time a fighter declines a fight.

I'll never claim to understand dana's reasoning, but it does nothing to increase the brand or the sport for him to tattle on the phone every time someone does something he doesn't like.

I mean, I'm not a Kongo fan by any means, but he'd have a month to get a visa to come back to the states to hopefully jam in a 2 week training camp to face someone who is ranked higher than he is and who isn't a good matchup for him. It would be nice if he took the fight, but I can't think of anyone who'd be surprised that he didn't. If anything, I'm surprised he was even offered the fight.

But I don't understand why dana runs to twitter to give only one side of the story to a highly judgemental--and often stupid--fanbase. It doesn't hype the fight. It doesn't even make Meathead look good for taking the bout. It just negatively impacts a fighter's reputation. And a lot of times it's just misinformation: you get complaints about Shogun not stepping up to fight Jones on short notice--and dana conveniently forgets that Shogun was actually medically suspended when he was offered the bout.

I dunno...it just seems stupid to me.

Can anyone clue me into a good reason for it other than than the disproven "no publicity is bad publicity" myth?

rh

kalebarker · 11-16-2012, 08:36 AM

I think sometime the concept of promoting your fighters goes over his head. I don't think there is a promoter that talks as much shit about his own fighter than Dana.

rivethead · 11-16-2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalebarker

I think sometime the concept of promoting your fighters goes over his head. I don't think there is a promoter that talks as much shit about his own fighter than Dana.

I'm biased, but it's never been more obvious in combat sports that you've got a promoter who actually thinks he's more important than the actual fighters.

Even with scumbag bottom feeders like Don King, they were at least willing to pay second-fiddle to the actual talent, at least until the checks cleared.

I don't get that sense with dana, but again, I'm biased, I think he's terrible for the sport.

My question is how can Lorenzo not pick up on this and simply tell him to knock shit off? Unless there is something I'm missing and there's a legitimate reason for it.

Is he trying to set an example and shame other fighters into being sheep and following his whims? At the expense of the crediblity of the brand?

rh

rodneykm · 11-16-2012, 08:49 AM

Perhaps there should be a nice bonus for accepting a fight on short notice...or is there one already?

KevoOnTheRadio · 11-16-2012, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivethead

My question is how can Lorenzo not pick up on this and simply tell him to knock shit off? Unless there is something I'm missing and there's a legitimate reason for it.

rh

I think as long as the checks clear and that revenue train keeps on choo choo chooing all the way to the bank, Lorenzo Lamas doesn't give a damn what DW does. Other then calling media members cunts and fags, you know, the usual.