UFC more WWE than MMA
It’s getting harder to separate the fact from the fiction in the UFC.
There are some blurred lines that are seeing MMA’S premier organisation in danger of sliding into the theatrical ‘‘sport’’ that is WWE.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s a brutality to the UFC fighting that makes it compelling – the same sort of fascination that draws the ghouls to motorsport.
Nothing highlighted this more than UFC229 between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor Mcgregor. The leadup, the fight, the bizarre aftermath and the subsequent reactions made it seem almost unbelievable.
The blood, sweat and tears that characterised the action inside the octagon throughout a compelling fight card in Las Vegas contrasted with the circus act outside it.
Even Mike Tyson, once dubbed ‘‘the baddest man on the planet’’ for his win-atall-costs attitude that included mayhem after he bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear, was left shaking his head, tweeting: ‘‘Unimaginable never thought it would go down like this. Crazier than my fight riot.’’
And Tyson was right. Crazed victor Nurmagomedov leaping out of the cage to attack one of Mcgregor’s trainers and part of the Russian’s team jumping into the cage to fight with Mcgregor was so surreal it almost seemed scripted.
But bad is always good when it comes to the fight game. It is fuelled by controversy and rivalry though, ultimately, actions speak louder than words.
Publicly UFC boss Dana White was seething at the dangerous actions that unfolded in the immediate aftermath to Nurmagomedov forcing the cocky Mcgregor to tap out.
Privately, he’s probably delighted. He’d just seen the biggest promotion of his successful career literally leap to another level in terms of public consciousness.
And when Mcgregor, still White’s cash cow despite this loss that ended his 23-month absence from UFC, immediately spoke of a wish for a rematch, White’s smile might have broadened further.
There had been premeditated actions around this promotion from the word go with Mcgregor attacking Nurmagomedov’s team bus, the pair tussling at the weigh-in and Mcgregor full of foul-mouthed hatred that fuelled his opponent’s desire to prove a point or two.
White was saying all the right things as he surveyed the shambles that unfolded in a packed arena where fans were endangered by Nurmagomedov’s violent actions. He spoke of fines, bans and titles being stripped.
But he also spoke of the pantomime that comes with combat sports.
As shocked as he was to see his asset descend into chaos, he also delivered a telling response: ‘‘This is the fight business. That’s how it works. People have been saying mean things to each other for 18 years here in the UFC. This isn’t the last time guys are going to say mean things to each other.’’
And, just like the WWE, he knows UFC fans will lap it up. They love to see the famous cage being rattled – from either side of the wire.
White can dish out the penalties but in a sport where millions are made they will be paltry when put in perspective.
As much as Nurmagomedov’s post-fight actions are to be deplored, he just saw his stocks rise rather than fall in this murky business.
He’s added a villain persona to his undeniable fighting skills.
Every pantomime needs a villain and when the stage is set in the current climate of a divisive United States, it only helps that the bad guy is a Russian.
We wait to see how the final chapter of this extraordinary night in Vegas unfolds in terms of sanctions.
More than likely they will merely form the plot for the sequel.