Dana White is fed up with people bad-mouthing the flyweights.
The UFC President was noticeably upset at the post-fight press conference for UFC 152, after sifting through tons of negative tweets regarding the flyweight title fight between Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez.
In one of the most competitive and entertaining title bouts of the year, Johnson defeated Benavidez by split decision to become the first ever UFC flyweight champion.
Unfortunately, most casual fans have yet to accept the 125-pound weight class. They consider the division almost freakish in a way due to the small stature of the competitors. Along with size, some are turned away due to fewer finishes than in the heavier divisions.
After reading Twitter, White had plenty to say to fans who felt like Johnson vs. Benavidez wasn’t a good fight.
“I was reading Twitter tonight, and these people were ripping on the flyweights. Let me tell you what, if you didn’t like that flyweight fight, please, I’m begging you, don’t ever buy another UFC pay-per-view again,” White said at the post-fight presser.
While the heavier fighters tend to rack up more finishes, the lighter fighters typically deliver faster and more sustained action throughout an entire fight.
As with all things, people tend to dislike what they don’t understand.
A few years ago, fans used to boo every time a grappler took the fight to the ground. Now that people have gained a better understanding of the sport, it’s common to hear fans cheer takedowns and ground transitions.
Johnson and Benavidez are both world class fighters, but like the rest of the flyweight division, they are still relatively unknown to casual fans. Even though the title bout held historical significance, there wasn’t much invested interest from the fans.
As time passes and the division grows, people will likely warm up to the flyweight division, but true fans of fighting will always love the sport, regardless of the size of the athletes.
White continues:
“Don’t ever buy another one. I don’t want your money. You’re a moron. You don’t like fighting, and you don’t appreciate great talent or heart, if you didn’t like that flyweight fight.
[Joseph Benavidez] fought his ass off tonight. Look at his face, going after a guy who is incredibly talented and picking him apart and moving and everything else. The kid never gave up. He went five strong rounds, and when I get on Twitter and I see that stuff, I get crazy man. It’s just like, please, those of you who said that, I don’t want your money.”
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