Issue 037

May 2008

By Ryan Harkness

Big evil organisations like the CIA and MI5 have a term called ‘blowback’. On a technical level, it means for unintended consequences resulting from the operations they carry out. Practically speaking, we’re talking about accidentally killing a busload of teenagers while trying to catch a terrorist, or causing a friendly government to be overthrown while rigging an election. Oops. 

Right now in mixed martial arts (MMA) there seems to be a huge covert operation underway to free Randy Couture from the shackles of his contract with the UFC so he can fight Fedor Emelianenko. On the surface, this seems like a no-lose situation. Randy’s already walked away from the UFC and said he’s not coming back. The UFC, like a scorned girlfriend setting fire to the furniture, has escalated the situation to the point where there’s really no chance of reconciliation. So what do we as fans have to lose in all this?

Quite a lot, frankly.

While Oscar Wilde once said “Consistency is the last resort of the unimaginative”, I’m of the opinion that Oscar was a stupid drunk and we probably shouldn’t take advice from anyone who died destitute and alone. Consistency is the great advantage of MMA over other combat sports, and the UFC has spearheaded the drive for consistent events, consistent title defences and most importantly, consistent quality. They’ve done this by setting up tough but reasonable contracts where their top fighters are making in the realm of a million dollars a fight. Not too shabby for a sport that was on the edge of complete ruin a mere ten years ago.

We’ve seen in boxing what happens when the fighter becomes bigger than the sport, when consistency is sacrificed and fighters hold out for the sweet deal and nothing less. Boxing in America used to be cock of the walk throughout the 80s. But because of promoters and fighters putting their pockets before the health of the sport, it ended up on life support until just recently. While I respect Couture’s determination to be number one, I can’t help but wonder if ten years from now we’re going to look back at this moment as a turning point in our young sport: when MMA started down the same dark path.

Now onto the other side of this fight.

There’s been much talk over the years that Fedor Emelianenko may not be all that he’s cracked up to be. People look at his record and scoff at the list of opponents he’s faced over the past two years. They point to the fact that many of his wins against top competition have come by judges’ decision. And there are constant whispers that his management is very picky indeed regarding the opponents he faces.

He didn’t help matters much by turning down a deal with the UFC, instead opting to sign with his own managers. They now seem content to rent Fedor out to other promoters like a bouncy castle for birthdays and bar mitzvahs. And while you have to give a person a certain amount of respect for looking out for number one, you should take a moment to wonder what would happen if all fighters acted this way.

Despite what your government might say, there’s really no clear line between good and evil, right and wrong. It’s all about your perspective. And while Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko might think this whole fiasco is worth the trouble, I only care about the fan’s perspective because that’s my perspective. And from my perspective, I see this cavalier attitude of ‘making Randy vs Fedor happen at any cost’ being extremely dangerous to the stability of a sport that’s still just learning to stand on it’s own two feet.

You’ve got a man who has abandoned the heavyweight championship belt and walked away from his contract unfinished. You’ve got another man who refuses to sign with an organisation and will only accept fights that his management deems acceptable. Does this sound like the kind of thing we want to become commonplace? Does this sound like the kind of scenario that makes our sport stronger, or weaker? 

Is seeing Randy Couture versus Fedor Emelianenko worth that kind of blowback?