Issue 087

April 2012

Perfection inside the Octagon is not the key to worldwide adoration – just ask champions GSP and Jon Jones. But there are real reasons why the likes of Couture, Franklin, Stann and Wanderlei Silva are adored the world over… 

Even the acid-tongued Chael Sonnen, mixed martial arts’ greatest-ever heel, couldn’t find it in himself to hate, antagonize, or even mildly dislike recent foe Brian Stann. But why? Ever since gatecrashing the UFC’s middleweight division in 2009, the Oregon foghorn has found solace and success in imaginative taunts and punchy putdowns, utilizing a combination of pre-fight verbals and in-fight wrestling to squash the majority of an intimated 185lb weight class. 

The archetypal bully, both inside and outside the Octagon, Sonnen nevertheless made a conscious effort to go easy on Stann in November. “Nobody wants to fight Brian Stann,” he said. “How can anybody talk bad about that guy? What can I say?”

UFC president Dana White, one of the major beneficiaries of Sonnen’s pre-event antics, anticipated this stand-off, of course, well aware of the high regard Stann, a middleweight contender and, pivotally, former US Marine, was held in by fans, employers, colleagues and, indeed, foremost rivals. “Nobody gets respect in this sport like Brian Stann,” said White. “Nobody wants to fight the guy. Nobody talks any smack. There’s no back and forth, even with Chael Sonnen. It’s crazy the power this guy has.”

In the end, Sonnen would go on to display his affection in the only way he could – by throwing Stann around like a rag-doll for nearly two rounds and attempting to bash the ‘nice’ out of him. Yet, despite the one-sided nature of the result, Stann would remain a staunch fan favorite and esteemed member of the mixed martial arts community long after his face healed and Sonnen returned to smack-talking the rest of the weeping 185lb line-up. You see, while Stann may not be a lock for any title shot anytime soon, his pristine reputation is a byproduct of accomplishments above and beyond anything produced in four-ounce gloves. 

Born on a Yokota Air Base in Japan, military man Stann was awarded his Silver Star in 2006 and fought for his country in Iraq three years before that. As if things weren’t tough enough for Stann, he then decided to pursue a career in mixed martial arts while fighting the greatest fight, a move that would, ultimately, bring his efforts and warm personality to the masses. That is the key in Stann’s uncanny ability to get everybody on side. While each and every war hero deserves boundless admiration and respect, it is Stann’s personable nature and quiet demeanor that perhaps most endears him to his public. Never one to bad mouth, complain or sulk, Stann has seen the worst man has to offer and lives to tell the tale. Nothing he confronts in the Octagon, be it Sonnen or someone less forgiving, is likely to rattle the former Captain. 

Still, even Stann, the ‘All-American’ patron saint of combat, feels, at times, uncomfortable and unworthy of his pedestal. Never self-applied nor requested, Stann’s ‘good guy’ tag is one born from good deeds, good manners, and, indeed, the very fact he never courts attention or promotes his own achievements. Speaking to the Scranton native ahead of his bout with Sonnen, you found a man full of gratitude, yet uneasy under the weight of scrutiny and goodwill. 

“I’m incredibly proud of what I achieved in the Marines and appreciate people recognizing it, but that should never come into the equation when someone rates my ability as a fighter,” said Stann. “[My military career] is not something I bring up all that much. I loved my time in the military, but I’d never want to rely on something in the past to forge my future. Right now I want to talk about fighting, not the past, and to be judged accordingly.”

Stann is understandably used as a poster boy and public speaker for the UFC, a role he’s happy to fulfill, and one which seems a natural fit. Seemingly popped free from a create-a-fighter mold, broad-shouldered and sculpted to perfection, Stann looks the part and, more importantly, speaks better than any other competitor out there. More than that, though, he’s simply nice. 

Believe it or not, this trend of nice guys masquerading as brooding fighters is perhaps more prevalent in mixed martial arts than one might think, as plenty realize and embrace their role in attempting to expand the reach of the sport and educate the masses. Subsequently, whenever the time has come to infiltrate new territory, the UFC has been able to rely on key spokesmen such as Rich Franklin, Randy Couture, and Wanderlei Silva to head up the push. 

In addition to being experienced and exciting fighters, the likes of those aforementioned three are called to action because they are universally popular and iconic figures of the sport. Loveable faces of the underground, these fighters turn middle-aged fans to quivering wrecks upon meeting them, such is the extent of the fond memories attached to their mere presence. In fact, many of the so-called old guard – think Chuck Liddell, Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ and Antonio ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira – are snugly sat on pedestals that many of the new breed will have to work decades to reach or surpass. 

Cape-less superheroes in the eyes of many fans, old and new, the untouchable reputations of these men are aided by their gracious tendencies and an all-for-one-and-one-for-all approach to making MMA the fastest-growing sport in the world. 

Of course, some fighters are able to rack up support purely through aggressive displays of kindness – specifically, feeding the cravings of bloodthirsty fans – inside the ring or Octagon. Humble though he may be, ‘The Axe Murderer’ Silva wouldn’t be half as popular or loved if he didn’t live up to his terrifying nickname when the moment arrived. Similarly, Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben, despite numerous misdemeanors and slip-ups, continues to thrill and gain support, purely because very few fighters wear their heart on the sleeve the way he does. That resonates with fans, above all else. 

The same can be said of Nick Diaz, he of a truculent and moody disposition, the loner with a chip the size of Stockton on his shoulder. Nevertheless, Diaz is universally adored because he fights like a character in a computer game and converses with fans via his hands and feet, as opposed to the traditional route – you know, smiles, winks and pleasantries. 

They say no sport is more honest or revealing than professional fighting, and perhaps it’s true. Maybe there is no better way to expose a man’s true emotions and personality than to throw him in a fight and watch the way in which he conducts himself. Generally, fans will gravitate towards those scrappers that leave it all in the ring or cage, regardless of whether they leave the scene victorious or with a stained record. In the eyes of these fighters, records mean little when you have fans. The same can be said for pre-fight hype and idle boasts. 

That’s not to say that a bit of back-and-forth isn’t a good thing, of course. Just don’t expect to capture a large share of the fan market if that’s your game. Ask the likes of Josh Koscheck, Tito Ortiz, Michael Bisping, Rashad Evans and Jon Jones how that approach has worked out for them. Stand-up guys, elite-level fighters, and articulate and interesting talkers, yet this group will never, ever be universally liked. There will always be someone, either at home, or sat inches from the Octagon, praying for their downfall on fight night. 

To some it will seem harsh. After all, these men haven’t hurt anybody – in a non-occupational sense – and certainly aren’t bad people. In fact, they more often than not dazzle and deliver inside the Octagon, the place where, ultimately, it counts. However, something about these fighters gets under the skins of detractors and, therefore, impressive performances become a moot point. The hate runs deeper than that. Either the fighters themselves are set in their ways and unable to fake a U-turn, or the fans, often fickle types, simply refuse to believe leopards can change their spots.

Of all of these shunned fighters, the case of ‘Bones’ Jones is perhaps the most interesting and, in many ways, bewildering. Seemingly invincible and beyond reproach, Jones has hopped, skipped and jumped his way to superstardom with such ease that fans, those that championed and supported him through humble beginnings, are now snarling and rubbing hands together in anticipation of his first debilitating setback. Yet how did it come to this? 

Some point to the cocksure Jones’ supposed arrogance, insincere nature and flaky halo, but, on the face of it, the UFC light heavyweight king seems only an ideal torchbearer for the sport. A smooth talker and snappy dresser, Jones is the coolest champion in the sport’s history, as well as arguably the most exciting. Hell, he’s even displayed a tendency to disarm thieves on the day of a championship fight. What’s not to like? Alas, whatever the real issue, Jones, one-time savior and beloved rookie, now splits opinion as often as he splits foreheads. 

By this writer’s estimation, so long as a champion continues doing both, this means they must be doing something right. Right?

How to win friends and influence people

Discard the textbook

It goes without saying, GSP is arguably one of the nicest guys in the sport – his image is near spotless – yet, do you really think anybody wants to see him execute a picture-perfect gameplan for 25 minutes on fight night? Some fans will love nothing more than witnessing that spectacle unfold, of course, but many find the likes of St Pierre almost too good for his own good. Sloppy is the new perfection. 

Eat punches

Nothing thrills a crowd like a man impervious to pain, willing to stand their ground and trade blows. Chris Leben, Wanderlei Silva, the Diaz brothers, all may have lost countless brain cells over the years, but they boast more fans than pretty much anybody else in the sport. 

Age gracefully

Fans love an old guy trucking on way past his use-by date. There is an insecurity and sense of peril to the sight of a senior citizen trying to reclaim something that once came so easily to him. So long as they paid their dues during their prime, and upset very few en-route to their bus pass, these older fighting fellows only become more popular with age. 

Thank the fans

‘The Axe Murderer’ can’t go five minutes without thanking his fans, whereas the likes of Brock Lesnar, Michael Bisping and Josh Koscheck often make a habit of inviting supporters to increase the volume of their heckles and hate. Guess who ends up with more fans? Yep, Silva, the humble, bowing, fan-worshipper appreciates he owes it all to the men and women helping to line his pockets. 

Swallow

Okay, so Brock Lesnar and Michael Bisping were never the most popular fighters on the planet in the first place, but they sure as hell didn’t help matters by distributing phlegm on fight night following dominant victories. Eyes-a-bulging, Lesnar gargled, frothed and spat his mouthguard out, directly in front of the nearest television camera, while Bisping saved his best for any one of Jorge Rivera’s tiresome coaches. Both fighters were widely lambasted for leaving bodily fluid in and around the Octagon, but swallowed their respective punishments. 

Good vs. evil

BJ Penn vs Sean Sherk, May 2008, UFC 84

Ill-feeling followed Sherk like a bad smell into this one, having lost his UFC lightweight title due to a failed drugs test in 2007. This grudge clash with new champion Penn would prove to be Sherk’s first one back following a year out and, given the circumstances, he returned to find the MMA world rally around the Hawaiian and cheer him on to a successful title defense. Sherk was stopped in the third round a result many fans adored.

Dan Henderson vs Michael Bisping, July 2009, UFC 100

Coaching on The Ultimate Fighter stirred this rivalry up to a screeching crescendo, pitching Henderson as the quiet gunslinger and Bisping as the hyperactive Brit yapper, ever keen to poke fun at his silent adversary. Whatever the actual truth, ‘The Count’ was cast as bad guy and duly faced the backlash that would arrive as a result of a showreel second round knockout. As was his way, Henderson, on the other hand, merely shrugged, mumbled and then asked the UFC for a pay rise.

Cain Velasquez vs Brock Lesnar, October 2010, UFC 121

Lesnar went into this title defense buoyed by back-to-back demolitions of Frank Mir and Shane Carwin. He foamed at the mouth after beating Mir, ‘V’-signed Bud Light and then ranted about a horse shoe being lodged up his opponent’s derriere. Velasquez, in stark contrast, said very little, full stop. After two minutes of frenzied heavyweight action, Mexican hero Cain released Lesnar’s stranglehold on the division, grabbed his title belt and registered a rare victory for the quiet guys. 

Georges St Pierre vs Josh Koscheck, December 2010, UFC 124

One of the finest bad guys to ever grace The Ultimate Fighter, Koscheck, since appearing on season one, has carried this tag into his turbulent UFC career, winning some, losing some, but rarely ever connecting with fans. St Pierre, meanwhile, hero of Canada and all-round swell guy, was roared on by not only an entire country the night he defeated Koscheck (for a second time) in 2010, but probably by the majority of fans worldwide. You’d be hard-pressed to find anybody, outside of Koscheck’s family and team that hoped for an American victory that day.

Vitor Belfort vs Anthony Johnson, January 2012, UFC 142

Sorry, but if you roll up to any weigh-in a whopping 12lb over your target weight, then yes, if for only one night, you are the bad guy. Johnson was a constant nuisance at the scales as a welterweight, and then continued this streak of ill-discipline into his fight with Belfort, only this time as a middleweight. Consequently, heading into the fight there was an overwhelming sense a win for Belfort would somehow symbolize victory for old-fashioned professionalism and morals, while Johnson, heavy of weight and burden, found the MMA world looking down on him in Rio. By the time Belfort choked out his overweight foe with a textbook submission, many couldn’t help but release a wry smile.