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Submitted By	:	red_ink
Date	:	11-18-2008

	Del.ici.ous		Digg
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Brock Won The Title, But Where's The Beast? by Kal Thompson

On August 9th after UFC 87, internet message boards erupted mere minutes after Brock Lesnar defeated 11 year veteran Heath Herring, a solid heavyweight contender, with relative ease. While many of the posts were based on the subject of Lesnar’s performance within the octagon, the same amount (or more) dealt with the discussion of Lesnar’s post-fight antics.

While it became a natural occurrence to see Tank Abbott or Tito Ortiz figuratively spit in the faces of their defeated opponents, for some reason MMA’s fan base took great offense to the former “WWE Superstar’s” victory-lasso-rope’em-up shenanigans. But why? The man was literally trained and developed to become a prime-time character within the wild world of sports entertainment’s pro wrestling giant. When you have so many hyped-up fictional scripts and scenarios engrained within your psyche over the course of several years, the stuff doesn’t simply come out in the wash.

In the past, so many MMA fighters had strong roots within the traditional martial arts. Thus, so many fighters were taught to be humble and respectful in life, as well as in competition. However, the times are changing. The sport has evolved to the point that many newer fighters are strictly taught MMA. They learn the basics in each combative art; but they are not taught the philosophy of the actual martial art system from which the technique was taken. In essence, they learn the physicality, but not the tradition.

In the case of Brock Lesnar, his life has been wrestling. From actual collegiate championships to the scripted bruising-ballet of the pro ranks, the man has eaten, breathed and slept some form of the sport since the age of 5. A successful wrestler is often the hardcore type whose self-motivation and drive are based on the pride of one’s self. We aren’t talking about a pedigree for modesty.

While Lesnar might not have paid his dues within MMA circles, the man has dedicated the vast majority of his life to a combative sport. He also happens to have more dedication in his left pinky finger than Tank Abbott has in his entire body. So, if Tank made a living out of being the villain while so many (for so long) hitched a ride on his bandwagon, then why can’t Brock Lesnar do the same? So sit back, relax and enjoy the show. It’s not like Lesnar pulled Tito’s stunt of wearing a t-shirt with a slogan that questions his opponent’s sexuality with a vulgar term. And Brock did not stoop so low as to mock a convulsing opponent who he just knocked out like Tank once did.

Yet, the fact of the matter is….we just can’t let Lesnar simply do his thing. It was evident in the post-fight press conference after his UFC Heavyweight Championship victory over Randy Couture this past Saturday night at UFC 81 that Brock Lesnar has heard the whines of us MMA fans. We have dealt our hand in housebreaking the beast. Heck, this much was apparent while Lesnar was still in the octagon. What we saw was respect and mild mannered responses to questions.

And just when I thought MMA had found its equivalent to Muhammad Ali: a brash, loud, out-spoken fighter who could back up the talk while entertaining us fans with both his antics and the mic. Ah! Why did we have to go and ruin it before it really ever had a chance to begin? I want to be entertained. It is too late to go knock on Brock’s door as a collective group and apologize for our giving him a hard time? Is there anything that can bring Brock back to the beast?

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COMMENTS

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bmxr

51 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

I totally disagree. I do not equate being childish and unprofessional with being entertaining. I would never do an "end zone dance" over a beaten opponent. As far as spectating, I am entertained by the fighting itself. If I was into the antics, I'd watch the Vince McMahon show instead. I am happy to tune in to watch a class act like Randy win or lose like a real warrior, or at least like a grownup.

JCota1

51 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

Exactly...it is what it is because we want it this way. This is our sport, a man's sport...why...because our warriors win and lose with class. Brock did the right thing after he got his due...kissed his wifes pregnant belly, thanked Randy and the UFC and thanked GOD for his unbelievable physical gifts...hey Kal, I hear Don King needs another beat writer!!! go away!!! leave our sport alone, brother...O'h Yeah...DIG IT!!!

red_ink

51 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

Easy gentlemen, easy. I love this sport just as much as anyone. My point: sometimes a little tobasco sauce gives the dish a little kick. By the way, Tito did aquire an army of followers....and it had a lot to do with his antics.

mu_shin

51 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

Never watched WWE type entertainment. I respect those athletes, but that's not fighting, it's theater.

Spent more than ten years getting my head kicked in at various TKD schools, and also spent a couple years getting choked and arm barred trying to learn submission grappling. I prefer the more traditional approach, and Brock's respectful comments following his victory played much better than the over the top screaming and yelling he did after the Herring fight.

I appreciate a little spice in life, and applaud a winning fighter's enthusiasm, but without an opponent to compete against there is no winner. Disrespect your opponent, and you disrespect the modality that provided the opportunity for victory. Warrior spirit celebrates victory with respect. Kudos to the beast, may he rest in peace...

Kal Thompson

51 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

My mere thesis revolved around the reason as to why some groups of fans pull hard for "the bad guy", yet when another fighter chooses a similar bad-azz schtik, he gets crucified on all of the boards. Consider the article a science experiment of sorts. :)

bmxr

50 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

You are right. Like you said, due to our backrounds, many MMA fans have an understanding of some kind of a "warrior spirit". There are people that love Tito shooting a bird and yelling "F U" at an unconscious opponent, but it just isn't the majority in this world (thank god). The first thing I learned competing is that EVERY fighter deserves respect, and that without that opponent, you are just a guy standing there by himself.

Let technique be the "tabasco" :)

Kal Thompson

50 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

bmxr, nice point.

The Father of an ERA

50 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

That is absolutely correct BMX! This is why I got so involved in MMA. I love the technique and athletic ability of a true warrior. Leave the out spoken quirky and over confident blabber to the theatrics of Pro Wrestling. I�m here for the real fighting experience!

smokeyd

49 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

WOW BROCK LESNAR = MUHAMMAD ALI IS YOUR BRAIN MALFUNCTIONING I'LL GIVE BROCK HIS DUES HE IS A GRADE A ATHLETE YES IS HUGE AND A GREAT FIGHTER .BUT THE FULL TEST ISN'T OUT YET.WHO KNOWS WE WILL TRULLY FIND OUT IN THE YEARS TO COME .MANY BEASTS COME INTO THE UFC AND DOMINATE IN THE BEGINNING THEN FALTER .I CAN EASILY SEE A DEFEAT IN BROCKS FUTURE .WILL HE BOUNCE BACK WILL HE DOMINATE . ONLY TIME WILL TELL HE HAS ONLY WON THE FIGHTS WITH GUYS THAT FIGHT WITH THE SAME STYLE AS HIM THE TRUE TEST WILL COME WHEN HE HAS DEFEATES THEM ALL. I HOPE BROCK LIVES UP TO THE HYPE . BUT KEEP IT A SPORT WWE STYLE WRESTLING IS THE CANCER OF MMA DON'T LET IT SPREAD

smokeyd

49 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

OH YES GOD BLESS YOU GOD LOL

red_ink

49 days ago	Flag as : spam / abuse / offensive

smokeyd: only an equivalent in terms of a mouth whose butt is able to cash checks. fyi, Ali lost quite a few fights, himself.

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