Well, alright.
It likely will take longer to write (and read) this reaction to Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano last night on Netflix (17 seconds), but it is what it is.
I don't fancy myself a hardcore MMA fan. I'll watch the bigger fights (or more marquee fights) - like this one was - whenever they do happen. Just putting that out there...
No kidding, dude. Your last post on a fight was over a decade ago, ironically, also a Ronda Rousey fight.
I watched last night's event with the same intrigue I had for Most Valuable Promotions jumping into the boxing scene with Netflix. We're in an era where sports ventures are happening, and traditional outlets are finding "competition" in these new visions.
The overall event was, well, an interesting first swing.
The arena looked great, and the production was amazing. The Intuit Dome will likely help with that vibe. However, as an admitted casual, the fights were meh. I genuinely enjoyed some of the prelims, with Mike Perry vs. Nate Diaz thoroughly grabbing my attention. Of course, the billed main event leaves a bad taste in your mouth as it goes off the air.
I'm also just going to say it...the main event felt fixed. I'm not saying it was, but if it were, that's how I would imagine it going down. The 44-year-old Carano is smiling while getting rolled over, tapping out, and hugging it out.
We got 'em!
If you're even more of a casual than I am, I can't imagine that hooks you in for more MMA on Netflix down the road.
However, what MVP has been great at so far is hooking people like me back to the couch for MMA. I don't know where they go from here. They can do it again, but this main event surely isn't making the next one easier. Will they try to entice Rousey back into the cage again with a marquee name to build upcoming events around? They're going to need something going forward.
Regardless, like they did with Mike Tyson's return, MVP has proven they can create a spectacle. And in today's entertainment space, that is rule #1.
Again, as a casual fan, the UFC just hasn't had that spark lately. So, of course, they too dipped their toe in those waters with the announced return of Conor McGregor.
Can we create spectacle and interest without dated returns?
A few other quick thoughts:
- How cool is the visual inside the Inuit Dome, no matter the event?
- Francis Ngannou is an absolute tank, no?
- It was really cool to see Jon "Bones" Jones.
- Nate Diaz looked old and slow. Yet, still carried some aura.
- But that all went up in smoke once Parry started dropping hand bombs to his stomach and face.
- Perry vs. Diaz was my favorite fight of the night.
- Not a bad payday for Carano.
- Rousey is great at being insufferable.
- It's like she would make an awesome heel in pro wrestling.
- Seriously, though - where was that attitude while she was in pro wrestling?!
- Ariel Helwani is very good in his role. He's been a breath of fresh air for post-match interviews in combat sports.
- As I turned off the television, I too wondered, "did I really think Carano, who hasn't fought in 17 years, would have a chance?
- Damn...they got me.