Issue 061
April 2010
The great thing about MMA is that it is so subjective. Everyone’s got an opinion and we love a bit of debate, so we spoke with four people from across the MMA world to find out their thoughts on the current state of play. We asked four different figures from the MMA world their opinions on the pressing matters of the hour.
The fighter
Scott Jorgensen, WEC, 135lb, 8-3-0
The fan
Alex Clayton, 26, Myrtle Beach, SC
The writer
Esther Lin, photographer, writer and brains behind www.allelbows.com
The insider
Elisabeth Nuesser, founder and CEO of Fight Chix Apparel
Q1 MMA as an Olympic sport – Yes or no?
A: Jorgensen
Yes!
A: Clayton
Absolutely. It would be a perfect fit for the Olympics. You’ve already got boxing, wrestling and judo in the Olympics, why not add MMA? Fedor versus Brock for the gold sounds better than Rocky IV.
A: Lin
No, well, not before jiu-jitsu anyway. Jiu-jitsu should be in the Olympics first. Let’s go from there.
A: Nuesser
I think it would be hard for fighters to make it uninjured through a full tournament, but I think if it was Pancrase-style rules it would be the most exciting sport in the Olympics!
Q2 North America, South America, Europe or Asia – as the global expansion of MMA continues, which will become the leading market?
A: Jorgensen
I think the US will continue to lead the global market as MMA grows on a worldwide scale!
A: Clayton
I think North America will still be the leading market with UFC still being the driving organization. However, if China picks up a serious interest in MMA, Asia will begin dictating a lot of moves in the MMA world.
A: Lin
While I still think North America will lead, the next largest market is Asia. Asia will be the next center of the world.
A: Nuesser
Since the UFC and Strikeforce are both US based I don’t see them giving up their position in the market. I do think Asia is due to become a big market for MMA again – it’s a part of their culture!
Q3 Are fans being short changed by being given so many rematches?
A: Jorgensen
I don’t think so. UFC and WEC are doing a great job making their rematches count.
A: Clayton
I don’t think so, not yet at least. I think Shogun-Machida 2 was the right move considering how close the first fight was. I think rematches are just part of the sport. I’ve always been a fan of getting a chance to avenge a loss.
A: Lin
No, because fans generally like to see competitors they already know. The evolution of the sport might be shortchanged though.
A: Nuesser
I believe if there is a close fight, like Shogun vs Machida, there should be a rematch right away. When they do fights like Tito vs Chuck, it might be OK for ratings, but it doesn’t really mean anything.
Q4 Would you prefer one big UFC a month or a ‘smaller’ one every week?
A: Jorgensen
I prefer one a month along with a WEC event a month – that’s some serious action!
A: Clayton
I like the one big UFC a month. It keeps the quality of the product high. The UFC would really have to expand to handle one event a week and I don’t think the sport as a whole is there yet.
A: Lin
For my PPV dollars, UFC once a month. Too many events waters cards down. I never thought I’d say this, but it is too much MMA.
A: Nuesser
The more MMA the better! I can’t get enough! Build-up the smaller fighters on the smaller shows and push the big events for the pay-per-views!
Q5 What would you rather see? Fedor vs a bear or Brock vs a moose?
A: Jorgensen
Fedor vs a bear.
A: Clayton
Personally, I want to see Brock and the bear against Fedor and the moose in that ridiculous tag team MMA bout.
A: Lin
Tough one. I’d like to see Fedor vs a bear for my own satisfaction, but I don’t want Fedor to lose and, despite Fedor’s legend as a possible cyborg, a bear is a bear and will destroy him. Seeing Brock lose to a moose sounds pretty fun though.
A: Nuesser
I think both Fedor and Brock would win either match, but I really just want to see Fedor vs Brock!
