UFC 189 was an exhibition of mixed martial arts at its absolute summit. It was an event that elevated the sport. But amongst the undeniable beauty of the violence was a sobering reminder of the sport’s cost, as we watched Rory MacDonald struggle to remain conscious after enduring a harrowing beating at the hands of Robbie Lawler.
Most of us were too busy picking our jaws up off the floor to notice MacDonald’s plight in real time. Thereafter, our attention was fixed on the Lawler, whose triumphant demeanour and steady supply of adrenaline masked the physical toll the contest had taken on him.
After a tentative first round from both men, few would have anticipated the subsequent carnage. The action inside the cage built to its barbarous fifth round crescendo, when the Canadian crumpled to the canvas, his nose shattered and body broken, after absorbing one final left hand from the champion.
(NSFW: Video contains graphic images.)
Credit MMAJunkie.com for first capturing this brutal imagry in GIF form.
It’s easy to take for granted the job of a fighter. Watching so many fights has the undesired effect of desensitizing us to a sport that should demand hypersensitivity.
It pushes our expectations for these athletes far beyond what is reasonable, to the point that UFC president Dana White can claim on television that a 25-fight veteran like Steve Carl doesn’t have what it takes to be a fighter, or a fan sitting at a bar can berate a fighter for quitting on his stool.
We should celebrate the success of UFC 189, but we should also remember to never take these fighters for granted.
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