As harsh as the title of this entry may be, I can only say that the truth hurts. Mirko Filipovic is really no longer Cro Cop. The man that dominated the 2006 Pride Open Weight Grand Prix no longer exists. It appears that Mirko peaked 2 years ago and has now lost interest. His physical ability does not seem to be deteriorating more that his mind and his heart no longer wish to continue fighting. His refusal to sign the bout agreement to face Alistair Overeem is just another sign in a long line of acts that prove to me he does not wish to face top competition, or any competition for that matter.
I realize many fans will defend Mirko and say things like, "You don't know what it's like to be a fighter!" or "How dare you criticize him for putting his ass on the line?!" To any and all of those comments, I can only say that I just call it like I see it. And what I see is a man who is a shell of his former self in regards to MMA. In his lat 3-4 fights, Mirko has shown no killer instinct, no desire to finish his opponents. Overeem, who has found new life in the heavyweight division, was handling Mirko right up until they officials called the fight. As good as Overeem is, that kind of dominance over an opponent shows one of 2 things. Either Overeem was fighting a newbie fighter, or the fighter he was fighting is washed up. My opinion is the latter.
I will not go as far as to say that Mirko cannot still become Cro Cop, but maybe it is time for Mirko to "retire" for awhile and let his batteries recharge before further injuring his reputation and his career.
-R
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Fitch v Dana = Time For a Fighter's Union
As I'm sure most of you die hards have heard, Jon Fitch was recently released from his contract and then subsequently re-signed with the UFC. This all came on the heels of Fitch being unwilling to sign away his likeness for video games for the rest of his life. Can't really say I blame the guy. Basically, the UFC is trying to take away any and all ability of the fighters to make a living for themselves outside of the UFC. Not to mention the deal for the fighter's likeness pays the fighter nothing.The irony is Fitch was willing to sign the contract before the fiasco went down except for the fact that Dana tried to get him to sign using mob tactics and strong arming Fitch into playing ball, so to speak.
While this kind of behavior by Dana White is completely unacceptable, the sad truth is that White will face no repercussions or fallout from his actions because business is the bottom line. What's good for business is what is good for Dana White and Zuffa's top brass. 10 times out of 10, Dana would have handled that situation the same way. And in the end, Fitch signed the contract, and Dana got his way anyway.
If this mess is not an indicator of the necessity for a fighter's union, then I don't know what is. The fighters need to be protected by something that actually holds power. What holds more power than all the fighters combined? There are negatives to a unionized fighters group, but the benefits far out weigh the negatives when you consider the rights a fighter should have and the ones they actually have.
-R
While this kind of behavior by Dana White is completely unacceptable, the sad truth is that White will face no repercussions or fallout from his actions because business is the bottom line. What's good for business is what is good for Dana White and Zuffa's top brass. 10 times out of 10, Dana would have handled that situation the same way. And in the end, Fitch signed the contract, and Dana got his way anyway.
If this mess is not an indicator of the necessity for a fighter's union, then I don't know what is. The fighters need to be protected by something that actually holds power. What holds more power than all the fighters combined? There are negatives to a unionized fighters group, but the benefits far out weigh the negatives when you consider the rights a fighter should have and the ones they actually have.
-R
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