Skip to main content

UFC 148 Goes Back to Wrestling and Boxing Basics


As the sport of mixed-martial arts has grown over the past decade, the growing perception is that MMA has managed to connect with today's generation in a way that boxing and pro wrestling could no longer do. MMA has managed to find a blend of appealing to fans while keeping the integrity of the sport solely as sport and competition-driven. And for the most part, MMA has done exactly that, specifically the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The UFC has made a conscious effort to keep their product pure and focused on competition and the art form, and letting the product sell itself without any gimmicks or fluff.  And they have done that for the majority of their existence. However, heading into UFC 148, the event carried a different overtone which caused such unique interest and hype around the anticipated event.

Since the UFC has risen from a small cult following into ascension into mainstream culture, pro wrestling fans precisely have called for their favorite art form to mirror that of mixed-martial arts. Boxing fans alike. More action, less entertainment and drama. However, the irony is that heading into UFC 148, this event has felt more pro wrestling and boxing than MMA. With the rubber match of Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz and the impending retirement looming for Ortiz along with the immense hatred and bad blood between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, the event had other story lines around the main event fights. This was certainly a difference from the usual code of honor, respect and competition-driven focus.


UFC 148 was highly entertaining and had great fights up and down the card. However, the event had pro wrestling and boxing basics all over it.


And let's be honest, the drama - the main interest in UFC 148 - between Silva and Sonnen, which reminded me so much of the feud between Ken Shamrock and Ortiz in the early 2000's, hooked everyone into this fight - hardcore fight fans and casual fans alike. 

UFC 148 had controversial weigh-ins (Silva's shoulder to Sonnen) and a few brush-ups between the two. I think boxing has had about - oh, I don't know - maybe 4,543,427 of those. 

We even saw crazy entrance props (Ortiz's spartan-like helmet), crash-style moments (Griffin walking away after the fight, only to return), sudden entertainment-like segments (Griffin interviewing Ortiz) and other moments that drew your interest besides the usual focus-on-the-art-form aura the UFC likes to present. 

Prepare! For...retirement?!

Who needs Joe Rogan? 

Chael Sonnen, after a failed drug test and a recent run-in with the law after a sketchy land sale as a Realtor, transformed his image from an average fighter who once almost (almost!) took down the world's greatest fighter, reinvented his career by becoming a character.  

Sonnen attacked Silva at all costs, running his mouth, spewing insults and igniting a war of words. Sonnen even went as far as throwing a jab (not literrally, and no pun intended) at Silva's wife, stating he will have her cook him steak after the fight. Yeah, that's definitely pro wrestling. 

And how about the idea of the always-calm individual that suddenly loses his cool and wants to get his hands on the loud-mouthed opposition? That's so wrestling. 

One could say this fight had a clear heel (Sonnen) and an obvious babyface (Silva). And for those of you not up on your pro wrestling terminology, that's bad guy and the good guy. 

Heck, some could go as far as saying Sonnen solely sold this fight. 

I too, can buy that notion. The guy has personality and character. He did a great job. 

After the fight we even got the makeup, and even a humorous play on Sonnen's insult towards Silva's wife as Silva stated he will have a BBQ and Sonnen is invited. 

Clever. 

I love MMA and thoroughly enjoy the UFC. However, after such a great event that was UFC 148, MMA purists and even Dana White himself who attempt to push the record numbers that the event will amass as a result of great fights and interest due to Sonnen's near victory over Silva in the first fight, are telling half-truths. 

What Dana White doesn't want to admit, is that for the first time, the UFC, which tries to separate itself from it's distant cousins in pro wrestling and boxing, gave us exactly what those two are known for, marketing, hype, and showmanship. 

And honestly, after the interest and overall entertainment value of UFC 148, there shouldn't be any shame in admitting that. 

After all, entertainment is the bottom line. 

And yes, UFC, there is no shame in that. 
Labels:

Recent Favorites

Wanting the Alternate Route For Bronny James

Welcome to the NBA, Bronny James!  In what was the worst-kept novelty of a storyline in the sports world in LeBron and Bronny one day gracing the NBA together, we're finally here!  First, congrats to Bronny! Entering the NBA is incredibly difficult, especially more than ever considering its global reach. Regardless, he is now part of the fraternity and amongst the elite in the game. Haters will say what they want, but he's there.  And second, congratulations to LeBron and Savannah James. What will be lost in all of this is that they raised a strong young man who yes, took advantage of his access and genetics, and is now at this point in his life - his ultimate goal. Bronny at the core, had no reason to want this - none. He easily could have rested, relaxed, and enjoyed the spoils of this birth lottery. Instead, he wanted what h knew would be the shadow of a massive legacy - and still did the work. That takes guts.  I commend the kid for not resting on Dad's name and wealth.
Read more

Thoughts on First 2024 Presidential Debate

It’s the most unwanted rematch likely in history. Biden vs. Trump What we saw tonight was exactly what many moderates expected and solidified what we didn’t want to say out loud - we have to have better options than these two, no? There isn’t much to say about this debate, especially from this debate nerd. This was the absolute shits in regards to inspiring a nation for an upcoming election season, which in many ways, still resonates with political fatigue from 2020. But you know that, already. You knew that ten minutes into the debate. The two best quotes I’ve come across to wrap up my overall feeling are the following: On one side it’s hell no, and on the other, it’s oh no. It’s who we shouldn’t have be President vs. who we can’t let be President A few more quick thoughts on last night 1st Presidential Debate:  - For me, this format was the biggest positive of the night and a very good baseline for where future political debates need to go. In a world of “takes” and who shouts the lo
Read more

2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Keeps Me Casual on Hockey

It's been a long time since I've talked hockey on this.  Wait! Huh? Come again? Yes, hockey. In fact, the last time I posted anything, I was mesmerized by the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals between the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers.  Fast forward to 2024, and my hockey fandom took another step forward. For years I've been the admitted casual. And you know what, I'm okay with that. Unfortunately, my unconditional love fandom for my New York Knicks presents a conflict that will forever curtail anything serious from happening between hockey and myself.  Nonetheless, I felt like this post-season heightened my hockey fandom to another level. Hockey is amazingly awesome. I very much enjoyed the Stanley Cup Playoffs, caught myself choosing Rangers games over early April Yankees baseball, and overall, found myself playing NHL 24 on the ol' Playstation 4.  Yeah, I fell hard. But before I shelf my spring fling with hockey until April 2025, here are just a few quick pon
Read more