I asked him to send me a couple of photos of his matches. Now, unless you are dumber than a box of rocks, you're not going to send a picture of yourself losing, and, as my lovely daughter has pointed out in a completely different context, anyone could look good if they're fighting a can.
One of the comments yesterday mentioned that Dos Santos hadn't competed in mixed martial arts since 2010 and it looked as if he had committed to making the Olympic team and that taking a pass on this TV show should just be chalked up as another sacrifice to making the Olympics.
I don't exactly see it like that. Yes, it looks like he did focus on making the Olympic team and then after he had done that and saw an opportunity to be on this show after the Olympics tried to do that as well. That's actually a pretty smart idea.
Often, after the Olympics there is a "then what?" experience for people. Having something to go to afterwards is very healthy.
I mean, seriously, he's not asking to get a free pass to get on the show, just to get a chance to try out.
I GUARANTEE you that there are a lot more guys with a 2-1 record in MMA than guys who qualified for the Olympics this year.
Do you know how many men from the United States made it into the 2012 Olympics in judo through direct qualification? Two.
Honestly, he's tough enough to go to the Olympics in judo but not tough enough to try out for a TV show? Really?
9 comments:
There are many shows which are related to judo or some martial arts that we can see on our television.This type of shows are dangerous.
Your comment:
"I guarantee that there are many more guys with 2-1 MA records who could not make the Olympics than vice versa" really made me laugh!
You are absolutely right, I don't mean "laugh" as in to belittle.
And something that has pissed me off for a long time is this same attitude in boxing. When I watch Telepio Stephenson, the great Cuban Heavyweight from when I was a young un? the best I ever saw bar none, with due respect to Ali Holmes and Tyson.....This man who moved like Sugar Ray, and hit like a freight train.
Anyhow boxing people always seem to minimize the Olympics. Truth is many great fighters from the Orthodox to the sublime have an Olympic background. This guy should get mad respect for his background. Why the politics?
Ivo is one tough dude, that noone can argue with.
You're obviously right on the point that Ivo could walk through most 2-1 MMA fighters, especially in Australia.
They've done stranger things with the show in the past, such as Matt Mitrione competing in the show as a former NFL player with 0 fights.
Guaranteed being number 19 Judo player in the world is a better MMA starting point than Throwing balls around a field.
I'm not sure why this suddenly is suddenly here, I guess they've decided MMA is popular enough now that if you're so inclined, you should be doing it already.
They're also trying to sell MMA rivalry between England and Australia in a short 1 hour/week TV slot. It's a little easier to explain a guy in his fight record "Johnny English is 10-1 in MMA, and is fighting Ivo Dos Santos who is 1-0 (But really awesome at judo)"
Matty -
Maybe, maybe not as far as selling the fight. Ronda was 4-0 when she got world title shot, so it is certainly not unprecedented. A lot of people griped about her getting a fight, too, but you can see how that turned out.
Agree and disagree on this one.
Disagree:
Essentially, if their rules say you need a certain number of MMA fights then that's the end of that. It's like applying for a job. If they say you have to have a 4-year degree and you only have a 2 year with equivalent experience then you are SOL. You can argue your point, but in the end, it's their choice.
Agree:
Now, the case you make is valid which means that he should make the same or a complimentary case. After all, Judo popularity is probably a lot higher in those countries than here in the States. Having a competitor with those credentials could potentially boost the profile of the show.
Honestly, the best way is to petition the show to accept high level combat sports experience as a substitute for some of the MMA-specific requirements.
With that said, this is just my opinion based on what I've read in the article. The best thing to do is to find out why that rule exists. This may not be a UFC or TV rule but something with a sanctioning body who would be overseeing the bouts (if there is one). In that case, this would need to be brought up with them.
It is just a rule the UFC is using to weed out 'unqualified' applicants and that is understandable.
I told them I'd be willing to jump through some extra hoops if needed.
Have been knocked back via email a few times but if anyone can get hold of Dana White and yell at him that might be my best shot. Thanks in advance
appreciate the support
I think the house is scheduled to be in Brisbane (they started this rumour when doing promos in Brisbane, possibly to teach Victoria's authority a lesson about not allowing 'cage fighting'.) Brisbane is not governed by a fight authority, so the UFC can't blame a commission.
Even if the show is held in NSW, the CSA there is slack enough to allow almost anyone to fight anyone.
With the number of shows coming up over the next month or two, I think with your resume you'll be able to get 2 wins in 2 weeks.
Otherwise I think Chris Haseman is in touch with UFC people and might be able to pass your case on if you speak to him about it. They did change their minds about fighters needing to be over 21, so I think there's still a chance.
My recommendation is to hit up Dana Whites Twitter and see if you can get some traction that way. It would be something akin to going "over" others heads but if it's your dream... He tweats a lot and replies quite regularly. Provide some information on your accomplishments and the situation and you may find yourself with a tryout.
I'd love to see a skilled judo guy on the show, that'd be really interesting.
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