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Originally Posted by Adambomb  Champs in boxing have had optional title defenses for years & years. This isn't as big a travesty as many are making it out to be. At least Diaz is top 10 & a credible opponent. Fedor fought some total cans in PRIDE. |
What is one of the biggest criticisms of PRIDE and of Strikeforce?
That their champions didn't fight the best fighter available. I point to AO defending against Rogers when he was coming off a loss as the singular low point in Coker's career.
What's one of the best things Bellator has going for it?
Champs fight the best available. It's the one thing they inarguably do better than zuffa.
Bringing up boxing as a social barometer of what is acceptable is kind of like walking in on your girlfriend blowing the pizza delivery guy and writing it entirely off as no big deal because she has a friend who give handjobs for cigarettes.
MMA wasn't nearly as corrupt as boxing. It still isn't. But it's getting much, much closer.
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Does it undermine the credibility of the sport? No. As long as champions are fighting the consensus #1 contenders on a regular basis the sport is fine.
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You're welcome to your opinion, but I catagorically disagree with it.
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rivethead, there's a big difference between "ducking" the #1 contender & simply wanting another fight first.
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No, there isn't.
There is a big difference between ducking someone and being scared of them. But you either fight the #1 contender, or you duck the #1 contender to fight someone else.
I have. I do not think it applies to champions.
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Maybe GSP think sso little of Nick he's just using him to get ready for Hendricks. I don't actually believe that for a second, but then again, you don't actually believe GSP is "ducking" Hendricks either do you? GSP will fight Hendricks eventually. He just wants Diaz first.
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Yeah, and maybe you're making excuses.
You don't think it's bullshit. That's OK. I don't care if you do, or not.
I think the current boxing model is bullshit. I think champions taking tune-ups are bullshit. I think the very concept of champions picking optional opponents is bullshit. I think failing to fight the #1 contender is ducking, and that ducking is bullshit--even though it doesn't necessarily make the champ
afraid. I think the concept of pretending someone isn't ducking a fight because they may fight them
eventually is weak excuses and weak excuses are bullshit. They were bullshit when Tito was ducking Chuck 8 years ago. They were bullshit when Anderson fanboys made them 5 months ago, they were bullshit when Jones fanboys made them three months ago, and they're bullshit now.
I'm a purist. Sue me.
I want MMA to get better. Sue me. MMA is good. Sometimes it's even great. But it's nowhere near as great as it can be.
I believe the UFC as the most recognizable face of the industry holds tremendous sway over MMA's development. I do not see a model where they move away from integrity and closer to a WWE/Boxing model as progression. I see it as a loss of integrity and as a bad thing.
rh
Thats right bitches, gonna have to bling out the other hand soon...
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