Tag: UFC on Fox 5

The term “martial artist” is something that is thrown around loosely in the MMA world. Since the beginning of time, the human race has been practicing martial arts. All cultures across the world have bred fierce warriors and created various unique fighting styles. Studying the art of fighting was not just a hobby. It was a way of life.

As time passed and the human race became more civilized, these practices have slowly faded away. There is no longer a need for great samurai warriors. There is no place in society for another Alexander the Great. A man’s status in society will never again be defined by how many men he has slain on the battlefield. People no longer gather in Colosseum to watch gladiators, slaves and animals fight to the death.

The truth of the matter is that MMA is a sport. There are many great athletes that compete in Mixed Martial Arts, but there are not as many great martial artists as one may think. There are few people who eat, breath, sleep and truly live the martial arts lifestyle. These people are a dying breed. The true modern-day warrior is something that is hard to find. 

When people talk about the Diaz brothers, it is usually not in a positive manner. Their antics in and out of the cage have brought them a great amount of negative publicity. With Nate Diaz fighting for the UFC lightweight title, and the recent announcement that his brother Nick will most likely be next in line to fight Georges St Pierre, there have been many articles written about the brothers floating around on the Internet.

Almost every article you will find are lists of the “Most Outrageous Diaz Brothers Moments” or something to that extent. It will be hard to find an article that does not make the Diaz brothers out to be mindless thugs, crazy brawlers and disrespectful fighters. This is the image that the UFC and the MMA world has created for the Diaz brothers. MMA is a sport that relies heavily on entertainment value and creating images for its fighters. The truth is the bad boy image will always sell.

However, this is not the truth behind the Diaz brothers.

There once was a time when fighting in the UFC and MMA did not come with a huge amount of publicity and public relations. People were fighting in the octagon solely for the love of fighting. A place filled with true martial artists and the occasional Tank Abbott. It was never about the money or the fame for most of these fighters, and fighting was never about the money or the fame for the Diaz brothers.

People forget that Nick and Nate Diaz got into fighting to test themselves as martial artists. It is still not a sport for them and it never will be. When the Diaz brothers step in the octagon it is a fight to them. Warrior vs. Warrior.

They want to knock you out and they want you to tap out from a submission. Winning rounds and points means nothing to them. A true martial artist fights for the love of fighting and to continually grow as a martial artist.

The Diaz brothers have never had the best relations with the media. If it were up to them, they would have no part of it. If you don’t want to be part of the media, the UFC will happily try to make you out to be a bad guy. They are trying to stay true to themselves as martial artists and it is very honorable not to give into public relations and the fame of fighting.

However, this makes it all to easy for the media to create an angry and abrasive image.  Anyone involved in the jiu-jitsu world knows that the UFC and the MMA world has created a fake image for them. Nate Diaz is one of the nicest fighters you could possibly meet. Even though he has had some crazy antics inside the cage, he is actually always very respectful of his opponent after a fight. I will admit it is a little hard to defend his older brother Nick, but once again it is a fight to him. Not a sport. 

Over the last few weeks, I have read many articles related to the Diaz brothers. I have also spent time reading all of the comments people have written on these articles. A common hateful comment that I have seen numerous times is the idea that the Diaz brothers are unintelligent people.

Studying the martial arts is no easy task. To obtain a black belt in jiu-jitsu, it takes as long as going to college to get a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. It takes a great deal of discipline and dedication.  The Diaz brothers have the dedication and the work ethic to have been great in anything they chose to pursue. They chose to pursue the martial arts and they have done so wholeheartedly.

Nick Diaz is known for actively competing in triathlons and both brothers are known for their outstanding cardio. They are not lazy, unintelligent people by any means. Their dedication to their trade is second to none and the feats they have accomplished fighting are truly amazing. Those people calling them dumb, I know for a fact, will never be as good at anything in their life compared to how good the Diaz brothers are at the skill they chose to pursue. They are martial arts geniuses. 

The Diaz brothers are true martial artists. They have stayed true to themselves as the sport of MMA has grown and distanced itself from the true meaning of fighting. In a sport that relies on spectacle and entertainment, it is no surprise that the Diaz brothers are very misunderstood. However, at the end of the day the Diaz brothers are very talented and dedicated to their trade. Modern day warriors and true martial artists.

I’m not the best writer, but I am a martial artist and I wanted to write a positive article about the Diaz brothers.  I hope some of you can see the true images of the Diaz brothers and not let the media belittle the skills and talents of Nick and Nate. 

“For it is easy to criticize and break down the spirit of others, but to know yourself takes a lifetime.” —Bruce Lee

 

Thanks for the read. I hope I can get some readers to think about things a little differently. If you liked, hated, agreed or disagreed with this article I would love to hear your opinions in the comments. 

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