(See, grappling isn't all bad)
Calling a fight boring is so hot right now
Last Saturday night’s main event is taking an internet beating from some fans for being a boring fight. While some are trumpeting the virtues of the contest and engaging in the never useful battle to change their opponent’s opinion, I’m going another route.
Can somebody give me a definition of boring because mine seems to be wrong?
Calling a fight boring is the new “thing” in fandom; it used to be calling recent additions to the fan ranks “noobs” or using the term “nuthugger,” but those are both so very 1998 right about now.
What is confusing to me is how a fight that started out with a stiff right hand that sent Quinton Jackson staggering towards the fence and included a third round that saw Rashad Evans get starched and nearly finished can be labelled boring? If this was a boring fight, how do you describe Sylvia – Arlovski 3? Narcoleptic?
This fight was actually a perfect storm of what some fans feel is problematic with mixed martial arts right now. When those things work in unison, detractors are left no choice but to label the fight boring. That’s just how it works.
There is a growing wave of resistance and opposition to wrestling in mixed martial arts. While the resurgence of the “no one wants to see two guys lying on top of each other” does hold some water, it’s still both a matter of opinion – and like arguing that defences in football should play with fewer players.
Yes, everyone likes offense and action and excitement, but we’re not going to tell the Baltimore Ravens that they can only put eight defensive players on the field because fans want to see more touchdowns. Arguing for such a ridiculous rule shift is akin to asking for accelerated stand-ups and the minimizing of wrestling in mixed martial arts.