The embarrassing part of UFC 100
For all the hubbub made of Brock Lesnar’s postfight antics, I think one thing has been glossed over too many times and that’s the ringside skirmish between Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson. That was a much bigger WWE move than what the former pro wrestler did.
Yes, I’ve seen the quotes. I get it. They hate each other. They can’t stand each other. Oh, and they have a TV series to promote. A reasonable fan is expected to think one of two things: Wow, the UFC is really trying hard to promote TUF and this is a lame attempt to keep it at the top of our minds.
Or, that two grown men can’t be within 15 feet of each other without coming to blows. That is garbage boxing pulls to sell pay-per-views, not something the UFC needs. I’m fine with talking trash and I understand some guys just don’t like each other, but come on, give us some credit.
Did this really go through Jackson’s mind?
“Hey, Rashad Evans is looking at me funny ... GET 'EM!”
That hurts the credibility of the sport more than anything Brock Lesnar did. So he’s a poor sport, what’s the big deal? Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson are professional athletes who are scheduled to fight against each other. When they “just can’t wait” to get it on, it makes the sport look like it’s fueled by putting two angry guys in a cage to wage war. The UFC doesn’t need to sell fights like that anymore.
Maybe that fight does need some extra hype that hopefully the TV show will give it. It’s not too often you see a No. 1 contender turn down a shot at a champion because he wants to settle a score with someone else. Usually, the No. 1 priority of any fighter is to prove he or she is the best in the world and that’s what the championships mean. It’s weird that Rampage’s disdain for Evans is greater than his desire to regain the title.
Rampage’s desires aside, when I saw the news about the shoving match, my first thought wasn’t “wow I can’t wait for that fight.” It was “give me a break.” If their grudge is that serious, go get Kimbo Slice, a parking lot and settle this YouTube style.
Yes, I’ve seen the quotes. I get it. They hate each other. They can’t stand each other. Oh, and they have a TV series to promote. A reasonable fan is expected to think one of two things: Wow, the UFC is really trying hard to promote TUF and this is a lame attempt to keep it at the top of our minds.
Or, that two grown men can’t be within 15 feet of each other without coming to blows. That is garbage boxing pulls to sell pay-per-views, not something the UFC needs. I’m fine with talking trash and I understand some guys just don’t like each other, but come on, give us some credit.
Did this really go through Jackson’s mind?
“Hey, Rashad Evans is looking at me funny ... GET 'EM!”
That hurts the credibility of the sport more than anything Brock Lesnar did. So he’s a poor sport, what’s the big deal? Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson are professional athletes who are scheduled to fight against each other. When they “just can’t wait” to get it on, it makes the sport look like it’s fueled by putting two angry guys in a cage to wage war. The UFC doesn’t need to sell fights like that anymore.
Maybe that fight does need some extra hype that hopefully the TV show will give it. It’s not too often you see a No. 1 contender turn down a shot at a champion because he wants to settle a score with someone else. Usually, the No. 1 priority of any fighter is to prove he or she is the best in the world and that’s what the championships mean. It’s weird that Rampage’s disdain for Evans is greater than his desire to regain the title.
Rampage’s desires aside, when I saw the news about the shoving match, my first thought wasn’t “wow I can’t wait for that fight.” It was “give me a break.” If their grudge is that serious, go get Kimbo Slice, a parking lot and settle this YouTube style.
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
"It's weird that Rampage’s disdain for Evans is greater than his desire to regain the title."
Before Lyoto Machida had the title, Rampage stated (among many things):
*his greatest desire was to get the belt back
*he would fight anyone for the belt, nothing else mattered
*he hated his experience with TUF and would never do it again
After Lyoto Machida won the belt, and Dana White offered Rampage a title fight at UFC 104:
*I don't care about the belt
*I just want a good fight (apparently just not a good fight against Machida)
*I really would love a chance to do TUF again
Draw your own conclusions.
Posted by: Antecanis | July 17, 2009 3:49 PM
Rampage isn't competing for the belt because the next logical choice is Shogun.
Shogun beat rampage in pride (easily)
Shogun isn't likely to beat Machida. And rampage realllllly wouldn't be likely to beat him.
The hype between Ramage and Rashad is 100% fake, it obvious, but it sells so your going to see more of it. Fan's want a story line, hell i want a story line, but i'm not dumb enough to believe one magically appears TUF happens.
Posted by: sam | July 17, 2009 4:12 PM
Stop hatin' on Rampage. Mark, I know you hated it, but I absolutely loved his calling out Rashad for some "black on black crime."
Don't be so cynical dude. Remember Rampage went on a real rampage after his loss to Forrest. Why wouldn't he shove Rashad? It may not be a work like you are suggesting.
After Rampage knocks out Rashad, he should stand over him and grab his balls. Now, that Rashad knows what getting knocked out feels like; he should see what it's like to get shown up to.
Call me a Rampage mark, but I'm so stoked to see this coming TUF and Kimbo has nothing to do with it.
Posted by: Ballz Mahoney | July 17, 2009 4:41 PM
I think Henderson admitting to hitting Bisbing after he was knocked out to shut him up longer in his post fight interview is worse than what Lesnar said or did. Lesnar was funny and I hate to admit it, but the UFC needs some good heels.
Posted by: Shawn Lupinacci | July 17, 2009 4:59 PM
Good for Brock Lesnar! I am SO tired of UFC guys kissing each other after their fights! Tyson never asked Holyfield to kiss him with those big lips after they fought.
Lesnar gets so amped up before his fight that it carries over to his behavior afterward. You know what? Good for him!
All I care about is who's fighting Lesnar next. This talk about bad behavior????? C'mon, this is the UFC. Lesnar is good for MMA, a little controversy never hurt. Want proof? Check the Pay Per View buys for Lesnar's next fight.
Posted by: hammy | July 17, 2009 7:46 PM
Isn't this what hyped all those Ali-Frasier fights? The only difference is that there was no PPV in the '70's.
Posted by: Neil | July 17, 2009 8:50 PM
i think it's awesome that they fought before hand. We expect guys to act like friends then try and kill each other in the octagon. It's a violent sport, and that anger is great.
Posted by: ron | July 18, 2009 12:12 PM
Hey Mark, MMA is the toughest sport in world and the fighters are toughest athletes on the planet.
Toughen up princess!
Posted by: Mike Holmes | July 19, 2009 2:40 AM
I agree that Lesnar’s behavior was embarassing, but only the actions that took place after the match was over. I disagree with you that his actions during the match, and the actions of Dan Henderson during his bout with Michael Bisping, were unsportsmanlike.
Posted by: BJJ | July 21, 2009 1:59 AM
I would still have to say Brock is a bigger embarresment to UFC 100. He not only experienced Roid Rage after his fight, you def don't ever go against your sponsors. Dont you find it funny, he had a budweiser in front of him during his apology. The other thing is... I just am not impressed by his victories. Nothing against him, he's a freak of nature. I just wouldn't be impressed if Rampage beat Josh Koscheck, or if Nogeriua beat Maia, or if Anderson Silva beat Kenny Florian. Then not only after they won, they acted like a moron. Yeah, its not his fault the HW divison is 215-265.
Posted by: Phi | July 22, 2009 12:42 PM
The Heavy Weight division is 206-265. Brock sucks but he is big enough to use strength and size. He could not take a punch. I dont know why the idiot heavy weights are wrestling and clinching with him. You cant beat him in the clinch wrestling. Stay on the outside and and circle circle circle. GO in and out,side to side,in,out circle but dont tie up with a much bigger and stronger opponent expecting the results you want. Carwin should not clinch with him to much just just bang and move and bang and move and just close the distance in an effort to out him away when you smell blood becuase he is in trouble. Brock is easily beatable if you actually use technique against his strength. Mir was right that he had more technique than lesnar and that it will beat out size or strength but whether mir knows it or not he didnt use any technique and was in a wrestling match instread.
Posted by: Tony | August 22, 2009 3:54 PM