Author: Anthony Fusco

MMA: Sport, Entertainment or Sport Entertainment?

Mixed Martial Arts today means a lot of different things to many different people.Some think it is fluid and exciting.Others believe it is barbaric and no better than the gladiator fighting of ancient Rome.Today the debate rages: Is the UFC sport and e…

Mixed Martial Arts today means a lot of different things to many different people.

Some think it is fluid and exciting.

Others believe it is barbaric and no better than the gladiator fighting of ancient Rome.

Today the debate rages: Is the UFC sport and entertainment separately or sport entertainment?

The UFC today is drastically different from its early days. There are more rules, refs, judges and weight classes. The quality of the fighters has improved, as nearly none are now one-dimensional martial artists.

All of these changes have vastly improved the quality of the product that now finds its way into many homes across the world.

I believe the UFC has shown itself to be sport entertainment. The aspects of the martial arts, combined with the drama and stories of the fighters have meshed into a very real and viable product.

You can’t have one without the other. It’s about the fighters combining martial arts and using them to create a fluid working style for them. But it’s also about the entertainment and expression that these fights bring, both to fellow fighters and fans watching.

A perfect example is what happened after Jose Aldo defeated Chad Mendes. He used a beautiful display of technique and landed a knee that knocked him out. Aldo was so overcome with emotion afterward, that he decided to celebrate with his countrymen and women, by leaping into the crowd.

Just as fighters have many ways to win, they also have many ways to expressive themselves.

From leaping into the crowd, to climbing on top of the cage, to falling down on the mat overcome with emotion. The UFC is a sport and a show. Fans come to see both aspects.

As fans, we’re so used to seeing a fighter just go out and fight. But whenever they express how they feel in the cage or outside of it, we are seeing a more human side to them. Fighters today are as much fighters as they are performers. That’s why the UFC is today classified as sport entertainment.

Tweet me @FuscoNation16.

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3 Reasons Why Fighters Are Wise to Avoid Glover Teixeira

Glover Teixeira is a beast.He recently proved this on October 13 by dismantling Fabio Maldonado in their UFC 153 bout. Hardcore fans had been hearing about Teixeira for years, but to finally witness his skills on full display was amazing.He hits like a…

Glover Teixeira is a beast.

He recently proved this on October 13 by dismantling Fabio Maldonado in their UFC 153 bout. Hardcore fans had been hearing about Teixeira for years, but to finally witness his skills on full display was amazing.

He hits like a truck. His submissions are quick and lethal. He has big names running scared. He appears to be the complete package.

Teixeira has all the tools to become a top light heavyweight in the UFC.

If only he could find an opponent willing to fight him.

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UFC 154: Is Francis Carmont Turning into a Middleweight Threat?

Francis Carmont appears to be the total package: He’s big, intimidating and, above all, highly skilled.Despite all of this, many fans are still unaware of him. But he’s poised to change that in a big way at the upcoming UFC 154 event.Carmont made a suc…

Francis Carmont appears to be the total package: He’s big, intimidating and, above all, highly skilled.

Despite all of this, many fans are still unaware of him. But he’s poised to change that in a big way at the upcoming UFC 154 event.

Carmont made a successful UFC debut against the always tough Chris Camozzi at UFC 137. He was able to control Camozzi for all three rounds and take a unanimous decision. He next took on Magnus Cedenblad and finished him with a rear-naked choke in the second round.

It wasn’t until his fight against Karlos Vemola that people finally started to take notice. Carmont fought through some early adversity in the form of submission and takedown attempts by staying calm, cool and collected.

Later in the fight, he was able to trap his opponent in a crucifix position and eventually lock in a fight ending choke.

This fight was defining for Carmont, who trains out of Tristar Gym with welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, because it showcased all of his abilities. He is a large middleweight who uses his size and reach well. His striking is measured and dangerous, while his submissions and ground control are top notch.

He also keeps a very cool head, and this helps him work his way out of tough positions. Training with GSP down in Montreal has clearly been an excellent career move, as Carmont is looking more dangerous with each passing fight.

Carmont faces the tough Tom Lawlor in his next fight. If he comes out calm, he should be able to use his size to bully Lawlor and eventually force the fight to the mat and finish with a submission.

Despite not being widely recognized, Carmont is a beast. After he defeats Lawlor in Montreal, fans will finally see the dark horse middleweight as a true threat. 

Tweet me @FuscoNation16.

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5 More UFC Fighters Who Always Look to Finish Fights

I recently wrote about five UFC fighters who always aim to finish fights. I was left with a multitude of suggestions for other fighters who could have made this list.I decided to take it to heart and create another slideshow about five more UFC fi…

I recently wrote about five UFC fighters who always aim to finish fights. I was left with a multitude of suggestions for other fighters who could have made this list.

I decided to take it to heart and create another slideshow about five more UFC fighters who fit that description.

They are fan favorites for their never-say-die attitudes. No matter where the fight goes, they always look for a way to end it.

Without further ado, here are five more fighters who always look for away to end a fight.

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5 UFC Fighters Who Always Look to Finish

The fans know them all very well. The have a killer instinct that drives them when they fight. They aim for the finish, be it by ruthless KO/TKO or a wicked tight submission.These fighters are ever present in the UFC, and for good reason. They are exci…

The fans know them all very well. The have a killer instinct that drives them when they fight. They aim for the finish, be it by ruthless KO/TKO or a wicked tight submission.

These fighters are ever present in the UFC, and for good reason. They are exciting and fan friendly. Some are feared strikers, and some are tenacious grapplers.

All are well-rounded fighters who want nothing more than to walk away with a post-fight bonus. In the following slides, you’ll see five fighters who always fight to finish.

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UFC 153 Results: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Shows That Jiu-Jitsu Works

If there is one thing you should never do before fighting Big Nog, it’s insult his jiu jitsu skills. The man is a legend when it comes to submissions.Throughout his entire fighting career, Big Nog has amassed 34 wins, with an incredible 21 of those com…

If there is one thing you should never do before fighting Big Nog, it’s insult his jiu jitsu skills. The man is a legend when it comes to submissions.

Throughout his entire fighting career, Big Nog has amassed 34 wins, with an incredible 21 of those coming by way of submission.

Dave “Pee Wee” Herman found that out the hard way at UFC 153 in their co-main event this weekend, as Nogueira locked up an armbar at 4:31 of the second round. It was a beautiful display of ground work.

Herman fought through an Americana attempt, as well as an armbar that forced Nogueira to give up his position.

A trip followed, and Nogueira landed in side control and quickly worked to achieve full mount. From there the end was near, as Big Nog is a master on the ground. He locked in the armbar and kept hold when Herman tried to roll his way out of it.

This victory was especially sweet for Nogueira for a number of reasons. It was his first win since knocking out Brendan Schaub at UFC 134. This past event also took place in Brazil, where the screaming, enthusiastic, hometown fans must have given Big Nog a boost.

Big Nog also proved that yes, jiu jitsu is still a very effective martial art. Despite Herman defending a few submission attempts early, the end was all but inevitable. The ending was picture perfect.

Herman wanted to prove to people that any kind of jiu jitsu didn’t work on him. But he learned a valuable and hard lesson from a master of the trade. Jiu jitsu does work, and Big Nog is a living testament to the lethality of the martial art.

 

Tweet me @FuscoNation16

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