I know I am late at jumping on the wagon for criticizing Fedor and his decision making process that has had him face, shall we say less than stellar competition on NYE and over the past two years. I know this “sport” is a business and grown men are going to make which ever decisions that will pocket them the most money and I cannot blame them for that. It’s when these figures like Fedor, who are our heroes, choose fights that don’t push them as athletes that we are disappointed with the outcome of their decisions.
Yes, I am a huge Fedor nuthugger. I own a Red Devil fight club shirt, as will as every single fight of his on DVD and I even have an odd coffee cup with his face on it I bought on EBay. I am amazed at his work ethic, his natural born talent and laid back way of ass kicking that has made him the best P4P fighter in the world. No one can question the example he has set, the history he created and potential that lays in his future. What we can argue is our own belief that there is something better for him than fighting Hong Man Choi and Zulu.
Why does this bother us so much? They guy is making money, fighting in front of huge audiences and loving life, I can’t harp on him for that. It bothers us because at the end of the day we believe there is something better out there than fighting big cartoonish monsters. We watch these fighters like Fedor, Gomi and, Josh Barnett, because they do
things we cannot. They have skills beyond human; they have drive that few posses and they have the heart to risk in all in the most truthful way known to man, one on one in the ring and or octagon. We just want it to matter.
When our heroes don’t step up to the plate and fight the toughest competition out there, they lose some luster; they become more human, more like us. It’s easy for me to be in front of a keyboard and tell people how to risk their lives, determine their paychecks or career paths. I want them to be my hero’s and fight the best they can, because it’s the right thing to do and that’s what hero’s do. Unfortunately we don’t live in a land of hero’s we live in a land of money that has put some of the best fighters on the planet on the shelf or fighting pointless scraps.
Unfortunately these guys are not heroes; they are just guys, guys with families, girl problems, other hobby’s and lives outside of MMA and a life. They are just like you and me, no matter what we make them out to be. Business is business and that gets in the way of the way we think things should be. I just hoped for more from Fedor that’s all. I’ll still watch ever fight he’s in, wear my Red Devil shirt and drink from my odd coffee cup. I just won’t do with the awe that I had before. And that is okay.
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January 11th, 2008 at 7:57 am
I just redirected to here from Sherdog.
I have to say, well done. It was a brilliant article.
The sentiment you showed is exactly how I feel but I just couldnt nail it down like you did just there.
Again well done and…..
WAR FEDOR!
January 11th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Fedor is not a hero, never was. He is simply an unbelievable fighter. Thats it. The U.S. Armed Forces is a better example of what a hero is. Someone who gives of themselves to directly benefit you. Fedor steps in a ring and gives a great show, but mostly for himself and the paycheck. A Marine or front line troops put there lives on the line everyday for your freedom. Thats a Hero. Otherwise good article…
January 11th, 2008 at 8:01 am
“The U.S. Armed Forces is a better example of what a hero is. Someone who gives of themselves to directly benefit you.”
What do the US armed forces do to benefit me? Educate yourself.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Well-done. Congratulations.
Please, comment my article as well:
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=711318
I support a brazilian site. If you want to exchange news about MMA, write a message to me.
Continue writting. Nice text.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:12 am
War Rickey! Oh wait, is that hurting your feelings too?
Relax.